Tom Selleck on ‘Blue Bloods’ Ending: CBS Should Recognize Fans Aren’t Ready to Say Goodbye

Tom Selleck isn’t ready to say goodbye to his beloved CBS series “Blue Bloods” — and neither are its dedicated fans.

“CBS will find that a lot of people aren’t ready to let go,” Selleck told TVLine. “The show’s popularity is at an all-time high, and I believe viewership will grow with the renewed interest this year. We definitely have more stories to tell.”

In November, CBS announced the series would conclude after its 14-season run. The show is filmed on location in New York City, and its final episodes will begin airing on February 16, with 10 episodes this season followed by the last eight in the fall, according to Deadline. Selleck stars as New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, the patriarch of a close-knit family working to combat crime within the NYPD and the district attorney’s office.

Since its premiere in 2010, “Blue Bloods” has been a Friday night favorite on CBS, consistently ranking as the top series in its time slot, averaging over 9.5 million viewers weekly last season.

The cast features Donnie Wahlberg as Detective Danny Reagan, Will Estes as Jamie Reagan, Bridget Moynahan as ADA Erin Reagan, and Len Cariou as retired NYPD Commissioner Henry Reagan.

Reflecting on the show’s impact, Selleck stated, “For the past 13 years, it has been an honor to work on a series that celebrates the men and women who protect and serve New York City while highlighting the importance of family.” He added that he isn’t looking to retire just yet.

“I’m not counting down the days to do something else,” said Selleck, who turned 79 on Monday. “I love the work. Sometimes the hours are a bit tougher now that I’m older, but that’s okay. I want to keep working as long as they’ll have me.”

When asked if Frank Reagan is ready to retire, Selleck was noncommittal. “He tends to pick fights because he hopes someone will relieve him of his responsibilities and fire him. But he has a strong sense of duty, and he feels trapped by it.”

Selleck expressed pride in portraying a flawed yet strong father figure. “On television and in commercials, dads are often depicted as foolish. While it’s not my goal to send a message, it’s a fortunate byproduct to present a positive patriarch, something that’s becoming increasingly rare in our culture.”