It’s hard to believe thatBlue Bloodsis ending…for good this time. For 14 seasons, the show has dominated onCBS, withTom Selleckproudly in the leading role of New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan. Whatever happens, the show’s conclusion gives some of us hope that maybe, just maybe, if CBS knows what’s good for them, they’ll keep Selleck around for more. Since 2015,the actor has been itching to produce another made-for-TV feature in theJesse Stonefranchise,and now is the perfect time. As some ofthe most highly rated made-for-TV movies out there, it’s hard to imagine CBS not jumping at the chance to make more, especially if it means keeping Selleck around.
Tom Selleck Wants More Jesse Stone — and So Do We
But to make moreJesse Stonefilms (there are currently nine total), it means that Tom Selleck would have to be on board. Thankfully, he is, and he’s been trying to get a tenth film in the series off the ground for nearly a decade. “IfBlue Bloodsdoesn’t [get uncanceled], there is room for aJesse Stonebecause I’ve written them, as you know,” Selleck toldParadein May 2024. “I love Jesse. And he’d be different. He’s older. It’s been a while since the last one. That’s a fun thing to deal with.” Selleck has been clear from the moment the network first announcedBlood Bloodswas ending that he wants to continue to work, andplaying TV lawmen has always been where he’s thrived.
Of course, asBlue Bloodscontinued (the show premiered in 2010, the same yearJesse Stone: No Remorsehit the airwaves), it became harder for Selleck to commit to bothJesse Stoneand the long-form series. With the promise that Jesse would always be there, he favored his CBS drama, and it’s not hard to see why. Three moreJesse Stonefilms were made afterBlue Bloodsstarted, with the last installment (Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise) airing in 2015. Though Jesse wasn’t exactly a spring chicken when Selleck first played him in 2005’sJesse Stone: Stone Cold, his desire to portrayan aged Jesse is interesting and appealing so long as it means he’ll be back for more.
‘Blue Bloods’ Reagan Family Tree Explained
Time to dig into TV’s first family of the New York Police Department, led by Tom Selleck’s patriarch.
Like streaming success stories such asLongmire, theJesse Stoneflicks have always attracted older audiences. Whether they’re drawn to the made-for-TV movies because of Jesse’s distinct outlook on the world, the originalRobert B. Parkernovels on which the series is based, orTom Selleck himself, folks stick around for the crime flavor these pictures exude. Of course, mystery cop dramas are fun no matter which way they’re sliced, andJesse Stoneis no different.
Hallmark Still Has First-Dibs on ‘Jesse Stone’
The only problem one could foresee in CBS resuming their commitment to Selleck’sJesse Stonefranchise — aside from the fact that they don’t make many TV movies anymore — is that the network no longer owns the rights. Though the first eight were made in conjunction with CBS (who gave Selleck complete creative freedom), the last installment,Lost in Paradise, aired on The Hallmark Channel.“Hallmark bought two movies,“Selleck told theWall Street Journalback in 2015, which means that they are still contracted for one more.
While we don’t know the particulars of Selleck’s deal with Hallmark (it’s possible their claim toJesse Stonemay have expired) or if the network is even interested in another (they originally stepped in because theirJesse Stonereruns were doing so well), the end ofBlue Bloodsmay make that clear. Regardless, here’s hoping that Selleck makes the best of his post-Blue Bloodscareer and gives Jesse Stone the sendoff he deserves. Or, even better,that he would resume the series as if he never left. If CBS isn’t going to do it, no doubt someone will.
TheJesse Stonemovies are available for streaming on Prime Video.
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold follows a former L.A. detective who becomes the police chief in a quiet New England town. As he grapples with personal challenges, he is confronted by a series of unprecedented crimes, including murder and assault, compelling him to unravel the mysteries while facing his inner demons.
Watch on Prime Video
