Blue Bloods is sadly coming to an end in late 2024 after 14 seasons, but CBS still plans to expand the franchise with a spinoff, which might be a bit confusing to some, given the network’s decision to cancel the original show. The police procedural series, created by Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green, debuted on September 24, 2010, and as anyone could tell from its 14-season run, the show has been a massive success for CBS. Nevertheless, CBS canceled Blue Bloods in the fall of 2023, with season 14 split into two parts and serving as the series’ final outing.
Of course, many were upset by the news, with some fans launching an (ultimately unsuccessful) campaign to save Blue Bloods season 15. Despite their tries, the police procedural starring Tom Selleck will conclude following season 14. However, CBS seemingly recognizes Blue Bloods’ potential to become a franchise (perhaps in the same vein as CSI or NCIS) and is reportedly developing a spinoff. The upcoming sequel (or maybe prequel) series’ premise is unknown, but it’s still exciting, even though it’s frustrating that Blue Bloods had to end for CBS to release a spinoff.
Blue Bloods’ Spinoff Is Likely Cheaper Than Producing Season 15
Production Costs Played A Part in Canceling Blue Bloods
Although CBS hasn’t revealed why Blue Bloods was canceled, many reports claim that production costs were a significant factor in the network’s decision. CBS seemingly wanted budget cuts (and salary decreases, which the cast and producers were willing to take) because the show is quite expensive as it is filmed on location in New York City and features notable actors such as Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan. Despite efforts to reduce costs, CBS ultimately concluded that the cons of continuing Blue Bloods outweighed the pros, but deduced that the show’s legacy could continue in a (likely cheaper) spinoff.
A new potential spinoff within the world of Blue Bloods wouldn’t break the network’s bank while keeping the successful franchise alive.
Producing the upcoming Blue Bloods spinoff would undoubtedly be much less expensive than continuing the original series and saving season 15. Television shows typically get more pricey the longer they continue, so, Blue Bloods’ longevity probably played a role in its high production costs (along with its location and impressive cast). In comparison, a new potential spinoff within the world of Blue Bloods wouldn’t break the network’s bank while keeping the successful franchise alive. For CBS, it’s seemingly a win-win — the Blue Bloods universe lives on and the executives won’t have to pay Selleck’s hefty salary anymore.
A Blue Bloods Spinoff Instead Of Season 15 Fits With CBS Wanting To Freshen Up Its TV Slate
CBS Is Making Many Changes For The Upcoming TV Season
Yes, the Blue Bloods spinoff update makes the show’s cancelation after season 14 confusing, but it also falls in line with CBS’s recent pattern regarding planning its television schedule. Other shows such as NCIS: Hawai’i and CSI: Vegas were also canceled by the network in 2024, with high production costs listed as one of the reasons for them ending. However, CBS also canceled the series to freshen its television lineup routinely and build on the momentum of other successful shows, which is probably why the executives chose to discard Blue Bloods in exchange for a spinoff.
A Blue Bloods spinoff will benefit from the original show’s popularity while bringing something new to the table (and also costing less for the network, of course). CBS is doing the same thing with its NCIS franchise by ordering two new spinoffs (NCIS: Origins, a prequel about Leroy Jethro Gibbs’s early days in NCIS, and NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a sequel series continuing Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David’s story) and disappointingly canceling NCIS: Hawai’i, which the network regarded as too expensive to produce. As a result, Blue Bloods is out, and a spinoff (which still has an unknown premise) is in.
It’s Surprising It Took This Long For A Blue Bloods Spinoff To Happen
Blue Bloods Has Been One Of CBS’s Most Successful Shows
Perhaps one of the most shocking and confusing aspects of the reported Blue Bloods spinoff is that it has taken CBS 14 years to order one. The police procedural series has been one of the network’s most popular shows of the past decade. Despite its dreaded Friday night timeslot, Blue Bloods has thrived and received terrific ratings and viewership totals. One would think the executives would have taken advantage of the show’s achievements several years ago.
Despite the excitement building around the possibilities of what the upcoming Blue Bloods spinoff could be, it doesn’t soften the blow of the cancelation.
Shows similar to Blue Bloods, like NCIS, CSI, and FBI, often get spinoffs shortly after their premiere if they are successful enough. CSI: Miami debuted two years after CSI: Crime Scene Investigation took the world by storm in the early 2000s. FBI: Most Wanted was released a year and a half after FBI premiered in 2018. NCIS: Los Angeles came six years after NCIS, but that was still faster than Blue Bloods’ sequel series. It’s better late than never, but it’s just unfortunate that it took Blue Bloods’ cancelation for CBS to develop a spinoff.
Blue Bloods Season 15 Not Happening Is Still Disappointing
The Spinoff Doesn’t Make Up For Blue Bloods’ Cancelation
Despite the excitement building around the possibilities of what the upcoming Blue Bloods spinoff could be, it doesn’t soften the blow of the cancelation. The demand and desire for season 15 is obviously there, given the roaring fan campaign to save the series. Plus, the cast (including Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan) has made it clear that they want to continue Blue Bloods past season 14, and there are still many stories to be told with these characters and this specific setting.
Even though the cancelation is disappointing and sad, the good news is that the series’ story and characters will live on via its spinoff following the last episode of Blue Bloods season 14. Some original actors may even be a part of the upcoming show, either in main, supporting, or guest roles. Ultimately, the hope is that the Blue Bloods spinoff will be the first of many supplemental series in the franchise, but fans can still rightfully mourn the premature loss of the original show.