Tom Selleck is one of the most beloved actors on television after he burst onto the scene in Magnum: P.I.
But his career is coming to a fork in the road.
And Tom Selleck gave this surprising message to CBS about his television future.
CBS is forcing Blue Bloods off the air
CBS police drama Blue Bloods is scheduled to have its series conclude in the fall of this year when the second half of season 14 concludes.
The series focuses on the Reagan family led by actor Tom Selleck who plays New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan.
Despite strong ratings in its Friday night timeslot, the network decided to end the popular police drama.
The 79-year-old Selleck hopes that CBS will change its mind and continue Blue Bloods.
During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he was asked if the show was actually going to be concluding after this season.
“Well, that’s a good question,” Selleck said. “I will continue to think that CBS will come to their senses.”
He pointed to the series’ popularity, which has shown no signs of declining after 14 seasons.
“We’re the third-highest scripted show in all of broadcast,” Selleck explained. “We’re winning the night. All the cast wants to come back. And I can tell you this: we aren’t sliding off down a cliff. We’re doing good shows, and still holding our place. So, I don’t know. You tell me!”
CBS announced last November that this season would be Blue Bloods’ final one.
“For the past 13 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to work on a show that not only celebrates the men and women who protect and serve in New York City, but also displayed the importance of family,” Selleck said in a statement at the time. “Working alongside these incredible actors, writers, producers, directors, and crew has been a dream come true. I’m grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary group for over 275 episodes.”
Hope for Blue Bloods to stay on the air?
Selleck’s Blue Bloods co-star Donnie Wahlberg – who plays his character’s son Danny Reagan on the show – said that he was open to continuing the series.
A fan campaign was launched to save the show on social media.
But CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach announced recently that this was it for the long-running show.
“We absolutely will miss the family dinners. It is important to give [the] show the sendoff it deserves,” Reisenbach said. “We love this cast, we love their passion for the show. All shows have to come to an end. It’s important to us to refresh the schedule. We are going to end the show come December.”
There is a precedent that CBS could make a last-minute decision to save a series that was set to wrap up.
Police drama S.W.A.T. was set to be canceled but a campaign from fans to save the show and lobbying from lead actor Shemar Moore got it renewed for another season.
And if Blue Bloods does conclude after Season 14 there’s hope that its characters could still live on.
CBS has used spinoffs for franchises like FBI, CSI, and NCIS.
