It is a strange feeling when a show that has been part of your Friday night routine for over a decade finally turns in its badge. We have watched the Reagan family sit around that dinner table for 14 years, passing the mashed potatoes and debating the finer points of New York law. But the clock has officially run out. If you are looking for the answer to when is finale of blue bloods, the date is etched in stone: Friday, December 13, 2024.
That was the night the lights went out at 1 Police Plaza for good.
The Long Goodbye: When is Finale of Blue Bloods Actually Happening?
CBS didn't make it easy for us to say goodbye. They split the final season into two distinct blocks, which honestly felt like a bit of a tease. The first ten episodes aired in the spring of 2024, wrapping up in May. Then, we had to wait through the long summer months before the final eight episodes kicked off in October.
The very last episode, titled "End of Tour," aired at 10 p.m. ET/PT on that mid-December Friday. It was the 293rd episode of the series. Think about that for a second. In an era where most streaming shows barely make it to 30 episodes, Blue Bloods nearly hit triple that. It is a massive achievement for Tom Selleck and the rest of the crew.
Why did the show end?
Honestly, it wasn't because of the ratings. The show was still pulling in millions of viewers every single week. It usually won its time slot. The decision came down to the cold, hard math of network television. Long-running shows become incredibly expensive to produce because the cast and crew's salaries naturally rise over time. Even after the cast took a reported 25% pay cut to keep the show alive for Season 14, CBS executives decided it was time to "refresh" the schedule.
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Tom Selleck has been pretty vocal about his frustration. He’s gone on record several times saying he thinks the network made a mistake. You’ve probably seen the headlines—he truly believed there was plenty of gas left in the tank.
What Happened in the Series Finale?
The finale wasn't just another case-of-the-week. It was titled "End of Tour," and it lived up to the name. The plot involved a massive crisis where the gangs of New York actually united to demand amnesty. It was a "all hands on deck" situation for the Reagans. We saw Frank, Danny, Erin, and Jamie all operating at the peak of their respective powers.
But the real heart of the finale wasn't the police work. It was the final dinner.
Fans were worried that the show might end on a cliffhanger or something tragic. Instead, the writers chose to honor the legacy of the show. We got one last look at the family together, including some surprise faces and a heavy sense of closure. It felt like a proper "thank you" to the loyal audience that stuck by them since 2010.
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A Special Gift for Fans
Before the finale even aired, CBS released a special called Blue Bloods: Celebrating a Family Legacy on November 29, 2024. It was hosted by Nischelle Turner and featured the cast reflecting on their favorite memories. If you missed it, you can still find it on Paramount+. It’s a great companion piece for anyone still mourning the end of the series.
The Future: Is There a Blue Bloods Spinoff?
If you are feeling a void in your Friday nights, there is actually some light at the end of the tunnel. While the original series is over, the Reagan legacy isn't quite finished.
In early 2025, CBS confirmed that they have greenlit a spinoff. The working title is Boston Blue. The big news? Donnie Wahlberg is set to executive produce and reprise his role as Danny Reagan. It makes sense—Danny was always a fan favorite, and Wahlberg’s energy is a huge part of the franchise's soul.
- Setting: The show will move the action to Boston (obviously).
- Release Date: It is currently slated for the fall of 2025.
- The Slot: It’s expected to take over the old Blue Bloods Friday night time slot.
It won't be exactly the same without the whole family at the table, but it's better than nothing. Seeing Danny Reagan navigate a new city’s precinct should be interesting, to say the least.
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How to Rewatch the Series
Since the finale has already aired, your best bet for catching up or reliving the glory days is streaming. Paramount+ is the primary home for the show, housing all 14 seasons. If you don't have that, you can often find reruns on ION or Pluto TV.
The show is a staple of syndication, so it’s likely to be on your TV screen in some capacity for the next twenty years. It’s reached that Law & Order level of "always on."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Stream the Finale: If you missed the December 13 broadcast, head over to Paramount+ to watch "End of Tour."
- Watch the Retrospective: Don't skip the Celebrating a Family Legacy special; it provides much-needed context for the show's 14-year run.
- Follow Donnie Wahlberg: Keep an eye on his social media for updates on Boston Blue. Production is expected to ramp up in the coming months.
- Check Your Local Listings: Look for ION or Pluto TV schedules if you prefer the "passive" experience of watching whatever episode happens to be on.
The era of Frank Reagan’s weekly wisdom might be over, but the impact the show had on procedural television is permanent. It was a show about more than just cops; it was about the complicated, messy, and beautiful reality of being a family.