Boston Blue’s Donnie Wahlberg Faces Challenges with Son Following Recast
Donnie Wahlberg‘s character Danny in Boston Blue will continue to navigate the complexities of his relationship with son Sean after an onscreen recast.
The midseason finale of the Blue Bloods spinoff aired on Friday, December 19, showcasing Danny’s efforts to strengthen his bond with Sean (Mika Amonsen) now that they are living together. The father-son pair faced numerous challenges that will be further explored in the upcoming second half of the season.
“Especially in the latter part of the season, we place them in situations that compel them to see each other from fresh perspectives,” executive producer Brandon Sonnier shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “Sean is motivated to prove himself to his father, which he has always strived for. However, this time, it’s on another level as he starts to recognize his individuality.”
Sonnier assured that Sean will uncover more about his father.
“He has lessons to absorb from Danny, but he also needs to venture out and learn things on his own. From Danny’s standpoint, this marks the closest he’s ever been to Sean. They are sharing the same space, and now Sean is also at work with him,” he elaborated. “As a result, they are spending significantly more time together than ever before.”
Sonnier added: “Danny is discovering surprising things about his son, along with qualities that he admires, and he identifies potential pitfalls that he can guide him away from. Their relationship truly flourishes in the second half of the season, and like any relationship, they encounter some challenging moments.”
Previously, Danny’s journey unfolded on CBS’ Blue Bloods, which aired from 2010 to 2024. The spinoff, which launched in October, began with Danny visiting Boston after Sean fell into a coma. This new portrayal of Sean comes after the character was previously played by Andrew Terraciano.
“There has definitely been some negativity,” Amonsen shared exclusively with Us last month about stepping into the role. “However, beneath those negative comments, many fans are rallying for Sean, expressing how much they appreciate my interpretation of the character.”
Amonsen emphasized his desire to please Blue Bloods fans with his performance, stating, “They seem to be enjoying the show and where it’s headed with Sean, which makes me happy.”
The actor admitted to feeling “a ton of pressure” regarding the situation.
“I felt a responsibility to honor the work of the actor before me, as I wanted to respect Andrew to the best of my abilities. I made specific visual choices, such as hair styling and mannerisms, to keep Sean true to the character beloved by many and the foundation Andrew laid,” he continued. “When I landed the role, everything happened quite rapidly, and I was immersed in it in no time. I binge-watched as much as possible, focusing on the later seasons to capture a comprehensive sense of who Sean had evolved into as he transitioned into adulthood and how he interacted with Danny.”
Meanwhile, Terraciano spoke up about the transition in an interview with Us.
“On the day I graduated, someone called me with news, having spoken with my mom, who was in tears. They said, ‘They might be searching for a new Sean,’” Terraciano recounted to Us in December about the change. “Shortly thereafter, Donnie called me. It was a heartfelt moment to hear from an old friend and someone I truly respect and have learned from.”
Terraciano expressed gratitude for his experience on Blue Bloods.
“It’s a beautiful experience because you’ll always cherish every single line and day spent portraying that character,” he said. “It doesn’t diminish the fact that someone else can create something wonderful with it.”
Terraciano continued: “I had the pleasure of portraying Sean and passing him into the world. Now someone else gets to share that joy. We both have the opportunity to showcase our talents and then send Sean back into the world.”
Boston Blue airs on CBS Fridays at 10 p.m. ET.
