Tom Selleck Joins Apple TV Comedy for First Role Since Blue Bloods

Actor Tom Selleck has secured his first acting role following the cancellation of his long-running series Blue Bloods. Selleck will guest star in an untitled Apple TV comedy series starring Elizabeth Banks and Ted Danson.

The project reunites Selleck with Danson, his former co-star from the 1987 feature film Three Men and a Baby and its 1990 sequel. Created by Liz Heldens and Matt Ward, the comedy focuses on a newly divorced woman who moves to manage her father's love life at a retirement community.

Selleck previously portrayed New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan on the CBS police procedural Blue Bloods for 14 seasons before the network ended the series in 2024. During an appearance on Danson's podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Selleck detailed the cast's efforts to keep the drama on the air.

"Blue Bloods was a labor of love… I think for everybody," said actor Tom Selleck.

He noted that the ensemble cast was committed to continuing the show despite corporate decisions to conclude the broadcast run.

"The real truth to that is in the last year of [the series], at our last family dinner, everybody wanted to come back. We’d already taken a 25 percent cut in salary," said Selleck.

Network officials previously cited the need to refresh their programming schedule as the primary reason for ending the long-running series after 14 seasons on broadcast television.

"Out of the top 100 shows on broadcast television, Blue Bloods was number six in our fifteenth year," said Selleck.

Selleck emphasized the rare longevity and continuity of the show's core performers over its decade-plus run on network television.

"Nobody wanted to leave. Everybody was gonna stay on," said Selleck. "That’s hard to get. It may be some kind of record to have the same cast intact for that length of time."

In an earlier interview regarding the conclusion of the police drama, Selleck voiced his frustration with the network's scheduling choices and timing.

"I’m kind of frustrated. During those last eight shows, I haven’t wanted to talk about an ending for Blue Bloods but about it still being wildly successful," said Selleck.

He maintained that he preferred to focus on the program's consistent ratings performance rather than lingering disappointment over its final season.

"I’m not going to turn into a bitter old guy saying, ‘Get off my lawn!’" said Selleck. "I don’t believe in holding grudges, but if you were to say to the television network, ‘Here’s a show you can program in the worst time slot you got, and it is going to guarantee you winning Friday night for the next 15 years,’ it would be almost impossible to believe."

CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach addressed the cancellation, acknowledging the dedication of the production team while defending the network's decision to restructure its lineup.

"all shows have to come to an end. It’s important to us to refresh the schedule," said CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach.

Reisenbach expressed gratitude toward the creative team and cast members who maintained the show's steady presence on the Friday night schedule.

"We really want to thank the cast and crew, everyone involved in the show," said Reisenbach. "We absolutely will miss the family dinners. It is important to give the show the send off it deserves."

The upcoming Apple TV comedy series also features Rob Delaney, Katey Sagal, Jared Goldstein, and Spencer Moss, with guest appearances scheduled for Hamish Linklater, Michelle Buteau, and Simu Liu.