Friday nights on network television used to be considered the "death slot." It’s where shows went when the networks had given up hope, or where experimental series withered away because everyone was out at the movies or a bar. Then came the Reagans. If you're trying to pin down exactly when did Blue Bloods first air, the date you’re looking for is September 24, 2010.
It feels like forever ago.
Honestly, the TV landscape was a totally different beast back then. Lost had just ended its run a few months prior, and the world was just starting to obsess over The Walking Dead. Amidst all that high-concept sci-fi and horror, CBS decided to bet on something remarkably traditional: a multi-generational family of cops sitting around a dinner table. It shouldn't have worked as well as it did. But that premiere episode, directed by Michael Cuesta, pulled in a massive audience. We're talking over 13 million viewers right out of the gate.
The Atmosphere of the 2010 Premiere
CBS knew they had a hit. They just didn't know it would last fifteen years. When the pilot episode of Blue Bloods debuted on that late September Friday, it introduced us to Frank Reagan—played by the legendary Tom Selleck—and his brood. There was the hot-headed Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), the idealistic legal eagle Erin (Bridget Moynahan), and the rookie Jamie (Will Estes).
The hook wasn't just the crime of the week.
It was the Sunday dinner. That first episode established the dinner table as the emotional heart of the show, a "sacred space" where the badge was set aside, even if the arguments weren't. Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess, the creators who had previously worked on The Sopranos, brought a certain grit to the family dynamic that felt more "New York" than your standard procedural. They didn't want a glossy, plastic version of the NYPD. They wanted something that smelled like stale coffee and Sunday roast.
📖 Related: Break It Off PinkPantheress: How a 90-Second Garage Flip Changed Everything
Why the Start Date Mattered
Timing is everything in Hollywood. By 2010, the "prestige TV" era was in full swing on cable, but network TV was struggling to find its identity. Blue Bloods filled a void. It offered the comfort of a procedural with the depth of a character drama. People weren't just tuning in to see who committed the murder; they were tuning in to see if Danny would get in trouble with his father or if Erin would take a hard line on a case.
The show premiered during a week when other big titles were fighting for oxygen. The Event had just launched on NBC, and Hawaii Five-0 was making its big reboot debut. Yet, Blue Bloods carved out its own niche immediately. It became the anchor of "Crime Seen" Fridays, proving that older demographics—and plenty of younger ones, too—still wanted a well-told story about loyalty and legacy.
The Evolution Since September 24, 2010
Since that first air date, the show has weathered massive changes in how we consume media. When it started, Netflix was still primarily a DVD-by-mail service. Now, we're in the age of infinite streaming. Through it all, the Reagans stayed put.
There have been some heavy hitters in the guest star department over the years, and some heartbreaking departures. Remember Amy Carlson’s exit as Linda Reagan? Fans were absolutely devastated. It happened off-screen between seasons, which felt like a gut punch. That’s the kind of staying power we're talking about; people care about these fictional people as if they’re neighbors.
- The Pilot: Introduced the "Blue Templar" mystery, a season-long arc about a secret society of corrupt cops.
- The Cast: Tom Selleck almost didn't do the show because he was filming Jesse Stone movies, but the script won him over.
- The Location: Unlike many shows that use Vancouver or Toronto as a stand-in, Blue Bloods has always stayed true to New York City. You can feel the cold in those winter episodes.
The Secret Sauce of the Early Days
If you go back and watch that first episode today, it’s surprisingly dark. There’s a missing child case that sets the stakes high. But it’s the nuance of the Reagan family hierarchy that really shines. Frank isn't just the Police Commissioner; he’s a grieving widower and a grandfather trying to keep his family from falling apart.
👉 See also: Bob Hearts Abishola Season 4 Explained: The Move That Changed Everything
One thing people forget is that Henry "Pop" Reagan (Len Cariou) was almost the main focus of the "wisdom" in the early seasons. He represented the old-school, "knock heads first" style of policing, which created a beautiful tension with Frank’s more diplomatic, modern approach. This generational clash was baked into the show from the very first minute it hit the airwaves.
The Production Grind
Producing 20+ episodes a year in NYC isn't for the faint of heart. The production team, led by showrunner Kevin Wade for the vast majority of the run, maintained a high standard of realism. They worked closely with NYPD consultants to make sure the terminology and the procedures weren't totally ridiculous. Of course, it’s still TV—cases get solved much faster than in real life—but the feel of the precinct was always spot on.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Start
There’s a common misconception that Blue Bloods was an instant critical darling. It actually wasn't. Early reviews were a bit mixed. Some critics thought it was too "old fashioned." They didn't think a show about a family of cops could survive in the era of anti-heroes like Walter White or Don Draper.
They were wrong.
The audience didn't want another cynical look at a broken man. They wanted the Reagans. They wanted the stability of a family that actually liked each other, even when they disagreed. By the time the first season ended in May 2011, the show was a Top 20 hit. The "Friday night curse" was officially broken.
✨ Don't miss: Black Bear by Andrew Belle: Why This Song Still Hits So Hard
A Legacy That’s Hard to Match
As the show prepares to take its final bow in 2024 and early 2025, looking back at that 2010 start date provides a lot of perspective. We've seen Jamie go from a Harvard Law grad in a patrol car to a Sergeant. We've seen the grandkids grow up and start their own lives. We’ve seen New York change.
The longevity is staggering. Most shows are lucky to get five seasons. Blue Bloods tripled that. It survived changes in network leadership, shifts in social attitudes toward policing, and the rise of the "binge-watch" culture. It stayed a "destination" show—the kind of thing families actually sat down to watch together at a specific time.
How to Watch the Beginning
If you’re feeling nostalgic or if you’ve never seen the show from the start, it’s surprisingly easy to find. Most of the series is currently streaming on Paramount+, and you can often find marathons running on ION or the Sundance Channel.
Watching the pilot now is like opening a time capsule. The iPhones are small. The cars look different. But the chemistry between Selleck and Wahlberg? That was there from day one. It’s the kind of lightning in a bottle that producers spend their whole lives chasing.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Fan
If you want to truly appreciate the history of the show, start by re-watching the Season 1 finale, "The Blue Templar." It ties up the mystery introduced in the very first episode and features some of the best acting in the series' history. From there, pay attention to the changing faces around the dinner table; it’s a masterclass in how to evolve a long-running ensemble cast without losing the show's soul. Check your local listings for the final block of episodes airing this season to see how the Reagan legacy finally concludes.