“Joe Hill’s ‘Blue Bloods’ Ending Ruined His Chances for a Spinoff”
Blue Bloods effectively closed the door on any chance of a Joe Hill (Will Hochman) spinoff by concluding his story in the series finale. Joe, the final addition to the Reagan family, was introduced at the end of season 10 when Sean (Andrew Terraciano) uncovered him through a genealogy project. Joe’s father was the late Joe Reagan, but his mother had kept the relationship a secret until Joe grew older and began asking questions. Throughout his five-season run, Joe’s relationship with the Reagans was turbulent. Danny and Jamie struggled to accept him, as he was a constant reminder of the tragic death of Joe Reagan. His bond with Frank was also strained, given Joe’s difficulty understanding Frank’s dual roles as both a family patriarch and police commissioner. However, by the Blue Bloods series finale, Joe had fully integrated into the Reagan family, ending the show on a hopeful note. He expressed optimism about the future, particularly for Jamie and Eddie’s new baby, who would be lucky to join such a close-knit family.
Why Joe Hill Was Ideal for a Blue Bloods Spinoff
With Blue Bloods being canceled for financial reasons, a potential spinoff would have likely needed a smaller cast, focusing on one or two characters rather than featuring all the Reagans every week. Joe Hill would have been the perfect choice to lead such a show. While connected to the Reagans, he was distinct enough to stand on his own, making a spinoff feasible without relying on regular appearances from the entire family. Additionally, Joe was a fan favorite who didn’t get as much screen time due to Will Hochman’s busy schedule, so a series centered around him would likely have been well-received by fans eager for more of his character. While a spinoff would likely have faced some disappointment from fans who wanted a full 15th season of Blue Bloods, focusing on a character people already loved would have given it a better chance of success than some other spinoff ideas.
Joe Hill’s Full Acceptance of His Reagan Legacy Ends the Possibility of a Spinoff
One of the most satisfying aspects of Joe Hill’s character arc was the resolution he received in the Blue Bloods finale. Having appeared more frequently in the final season, Joe’s storyline culminated in a powerful moment where he fully embraced the Reagan family. In the finale, he supported Jamie after Eddie was shot and joined the family for the iconic Reagan dinner. It was a poignant moment, as Joe came to terms with his father’s death and finally saw the Reagans in a positive light.
While a spinoff focusing on Joe’s other family members could still be possible, it would feel incomplete without regular interactions with Danny or Jamie, whether at work or during family gatherings. The ending of Blue Bloods made it clear that Joe’s connection with the Reagans was strong and ongoing, making it hard to imagine a series without these regular ties. For that reason, the dream of a Joe Hill spinoff seems unlikely, which is disappointing given the potential he had to carry forward the show’s core themes of family and duty.
