The new CBS show Boston Blue puts Donnie Wahlberg back in his familiar role of Danny Reagan, a New York detective now working with the Boston Police Department. The show is a spin-off from the long-running hit Blue Bloods, which ended its 14-season run in 2024. But while the character has moved to a new city, the actual filming of the show has not. Wahlberg recently shared that he fought very hard to bring production to his real-life hometown of Boston, even offering to give up half of his own money to make it happen. The network said no.
The ‘Blue Bloods’ Star Was Ready to Give Up Half His Paycheck
During a talk on Andy Cohen Live on April 23, 2026, the New Kids on the Block singer revealed the behind-the-scenes battle to get the show shot on location in Boston. He said that when he first got the job offer, he had a different idea in mind.
“I got offered the job, I’m like, ‘This is a dream come true,’” Wahlberg told Cohen. He thought the spin-off would place him in a warm city like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Texas. When the producers said “How about Boston?” it hooked him immediately because of his deep family roots there.
But there was a major problem. The excitement turned to disappointment when the network explained the financial reality of shooting in Massachusetts.
“They were like, ‘But we can’t afford to shoot it in Boston, we’re gonna shoot it in Toronto,’” Wahlberg recalled.
That is when the actor made a very rare counter-offer. He was determined to keep the show authentic to its name.
“I said, ‘Listen, I’ll give back 50% of my paycheck if we can go to Boston,’” Wahlberg said.
To his surprise, CBS did not accept his generous offer. The network’s answer was very direct.
“They said, ‘You can give back 100% and so can the rest of the cast, we cannot film this show in Boston,’” he explained.
The primary reason is that Boston has become “so expensive” for television production. It is much cheaper for studios to film in Canadian cities like Toronto, which offer significant tax credits and lower operating costs.
The Compromise: Toronto Doubles for Boston
Even though Wahlberg is an executive producer on the show, passion could not beat the strict budget limits of the television industry.
The majority of Boston Blue is filmed on sound stages and city streets in Toronto, Canada. The production does travel to Boston for specific exterior shots that feature famous landmarks like Fenway Park and Boston Common. This hybrid method allows the show to maintain the “Boston feel” visually while keeping the company financially stable.
Even though the actor tried to give up a massive portion of his salary, the math did not work for the studio.
Duck Boats and Distractions: The Other Reason Filming in Boston Is Hard
Money was not the only problem Wahlberg identified. During an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark on April 22, he joked that filming in his hometown is actually impossible because of his fame.
Wahlberg explained that the famous duck boat tours in Boston constantly ruin takes. The tour guides wear headsets with speakers that blare commentary as they drive past filming locations.
“Every take, I’m literally saying, ‘Give me your hand, sir, you’re under arrest,’ and it’s like, ‘Donnie! Donnie!’” Wahlberg said, imitating the crowd.
He described the tour guides’ narration as very personal. They point him out to tourists as if he is part of the attraction.
“It’s literally like, ‘Over there, you’ll see Donnie Wahlberg in the wild. He grew up three doors down from me, I knew his mother, God rest her soul,’” he told Kelly Ripa.
The actor also admitted that his large family, consisting of cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews, all show up on set. Wahlberg joked that if the show filmed permanently in Boston, they “wouldn’t get any work done” because he would be too busy posing for photos with fans and relatives.
Where to Watch ‘Boston Blue’
Despite the filming challenges, Boston Blue is currently airing its first season. New episodes debut on CBS every Friday at 10 p.m. ET (USA) . For viewers in the UK, the show is expected to arrive on Sky Witness and NOW later in the year. Canadian audiences can watch on Global TV. Fans in Australia can stream it on Paramount+ Australia. Indian viewers can also watch the series on Paramount+ and Voot Select.
Boston Blue stars Sonequa Martin-Green, Maggie Lawson, and Ernie Hudson.
Also Read:
Fan Reactions to the News
Fans on social media had mixed feelings about the news of the salary cut. Many praised Wahlberg for his loyalty to the city of Boston.
“That is real dedication. He wanted it to be real for the fans. Respect to Donnie for trying to pay for it himself.”
Others understood the network’s decision, noting that the budget for police procedurals is tight these days.
“It sucks, but 50% off one actor doesn’t fix the whole crew and the higher costs of Boston. Canada is the standard for a reason.”
Also Read: Spider-Noir Series and Brand New Day Film Share a Surprising Villain Connection
Explore more stories about your favorite actors and TV dramas on VvipTimes. We bring you the real stories behind the shows and movies you love.
