Boston Blue Explores On-Screen Tensions Between Danny Reagan and His Son
In the Friday, November 14, episode of Boston Blue, the spinoff delved into the growing pains between Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan and his on-screen son
Sean, as they adjusted to living together.
During a conversation with Lena, Danny vented about Sean’s behavior. “The sandwich was for Sean. We were supposed to have breakfast, and he stood me up to go for a run,” he said. “I am all for the kid staying in shape, but I am trying to spend time with him.”
Lena suggested that cohabitating could naturally create tension, but Danny disagreed. “It is going great, and we are having a great time. So I figured why not stay longer so we can stay close?”
Later, Sean confided in his partner Jonah about the challenges of living together, even over small conflicts like Danny making his bed. “I can’t. He uprooted his whole life for me, and it is nice spending time with him,” Sean admitted. “But I just wish he would leave at the end of the night.”
The situation reached a resolution when Sean apologized to Danny for the tension at home. “I am the one who should be sorry. I am crowding you,” Danny replied. “I think it is time I got my own place.” They reached a compromise: Sean moved in with Jonah while Danny remained in his apartment.
A New Chapter for Danny and Sean
The Reagans’ journey has been evolving since Danny relocated to Boston from New York. Danny’s story was a central part of CBS’ Blue Bloods, which aired from 2010 to 2024. The Boston Blue spinoff, which premiered in October, began with Danny visiting Boston after Sean suffered a coma. Fans also noticed a change in Sean’s portrayal, now played by Mika Amonsen, taking over from Andrew Terraciano.
Coshowrunner Brandon Margolis told Variety that recasting Sean was a creative choice tied to the story’s new direction. “We love Andrew and the work he did over the years on Blue Bloods. Really, it came down to we’re telling a new chapter in both of their lives,” he explained.
Margolis continued, “It’s not just Sean who has joined the family business and is turning over a new leaf, but Danny Reagan is now the father of a cop, which he’s never been before.”
The switch, he said, was “an organic opportunity to bring in a new performance with new energy, to help dramatize that change.” The writers were excited to explore fresh storytelling paths in the spinoff.
“It is the same character, it’s the same relationship, but it’s also completely different,” Margolis added. “We love what Mika has brought to Sean this vulnerability, yet this desire to prove himself. It’s just been great to watch it come to life.”
In a separate interview with TVLine, Margolis noted that while he “loved” watching Terraciano grow up on TV, “creatively it made sense to find an actor with a different energy.” He acknowledged that opening the show with a new face or rather two new faces was a gamble, but the story demanded it. “Opening with that heroic moment that has a tragic end was the right way to pull Danny Reagan into this world,” he concluded.