“Donnie Wahlberg Calls Tom Selleck ‘Dad’ on ‘Blue Bloods’: ‘We’ve Grown into a Real Family'”

To “Blue Bloods” star Donnie Wahlberg, his relationship with Tom Selleck has evolved into a father-son dynamic. As the crime drama prepares to air its final season, starting with the first ten episodes on February 16 and concluding with eight more in the fall, Wahlberg reflects on his deepening bond with Selleck.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wahlberg shared that over their 14 years working together, their relationship has grown beyond that of co-stars. “Tom Selleck, I call him Dad,” Wahlberg said. “Initially, he was a bit taken aback by it during the first season or two, but now we’re incredibly close.”

Selleck has embraced the father-son dynamic, often referring to Wahlberg as “son.” “He’ll say things like, ‘Oh, hey, son, how are you today?’” Wahlberg noted. “It’s become like a real family, and it will be hard to not be with them anymore, though I’m sure we’ll stay in touch after the show ends.”

Wahlberg also spoke about the close-knit nature of the entire cast and crew. “The cast and crew have become like a real family over the past 14 years,” he said. “Working together in New York, many of us have been together for the entire run of the show, and it’s been an incredible experience.”

He highlighted the special significance of the dinner scenes on the show, which resonate deeply with both viewers and the cast. “Those dinner scenes, which viewers love, are meaningful to us too. They’re a time for the cast to come together, catch up, and share our lives,” Wahlberg explained.

As the show approaches its end, Wahlberg finds it difficult to imagine not working with his colleagues. “The idea of not coming to work with these people who have been such a big part of my life is emotional,” he said. “I’m trying to enjoy the journey right now and not dwell too much on the end.”