Memorable Moments from Blue Bloods: Donnie Wahlberg Reflects on Iconic Dinner Scenes
Since its debut in 2010, Blue Bloods has established itself as a cornerstone of CBS’s lineup. Now in its 11th season, the show follows the Reagan family, each member deeply entrenched in law enforcement roles: Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) as police commissioner, his son Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) as a detective, and his daughter Erin (Bridget Moynahan) as an Assistant District Attorney.
A hallmark of the series is its traditional Sunday family dinners, which serve as a backdrop for many episodes, highlighting both the family’s close-knit relationships and the occasional tensions that arise. These dinners, filmed at Commissioner Frank’s home, are known to be both significant and challenging to shoot, often taking up to five hours to complete. Despite the difficulties, they are cherished moments that bring the Reagan family together on screen.
For Donnie Wahlberg, one dinner scene stands out as particularly memorable. While many might expect his most poignant memory to be from the emotional first dinner following the departure of his on-screen wife, Linda (played by Amy Carlson), Wahlberg actually reflects on a different experience. According to Cinema Blend, Wahlberg recalls his initial Sunday dinner scene as the most unforgettable due to the pressure and intimidation he felt.
Wahlberg’s first scene at the iconic dinner table involved taking charge in a setting populated by a stellar cast, including the legendary Tom Selleck. For Wahlberg, stepping into the scene required him to assert dominance and take control, which was a daunting task. He compared the experience to a personal challenge, drawing a parallel to his father’s mustache and commanding presence.
“It was so intimidating,” Wahlberg confessed. “My character basically had to run roughshod over the table and to sit down with that cast and with Tom Selleck at the head of the table. My dad used to wear a mustache a lot, and he’s very intimidating and he sat at the head of the table like that. It was sort of traumatizing for me to sit there and have to come in on my first day of shooting the series and just basically take over the dinner table.”
This scene, reflecting both the challenges and the unique dynamics of the show, underscores the blend of family drama and professional intensity that Blue Bloods consistently delivers. As the series continues, these Sunday dinners remain a central and cherished aspect of the show, capturing the essence of the Reagan family’s enduring legacy.
