Donnie Wahlberg Offered Half His Paycheck to Keep ‘Boston Blue’ Filming in Boston

Donnie Wahlberg has expressed his strong desire for his new show ‘Boston Blue’ to be filmed in the city that serves as its backdrop.

In an interview on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Wahlberg shared his determination to have the series shot in Boston. The show continues the narrative of his character Danny Reagan from ‘Blue Bloods’, and he believed it was essential to maintain that authentic setting.

He recalled his excitement upon learning about the project, even before the filming location was revealed. “When I got offered the job, I’m like, ‘This is a dream come true.’ I thought, I’ll do a spinoff in L.A. or Vegas or Texas, somewhere hot,” he stated. “And they were like, ‘How about Boston?’ I was like, ‘Ahhhh.’ They hooked me. And I was like, ‘Alright, let’s do it in Boston.’”

However, plans shifted quickly. Wahlberg mentioned that the production team informed him that shooting in Boston would be too costly, leading them to decide to film most of the series in Toronto.

Wahlberg attempted to make it work by offering to give up part of his salary. “And they were like, ‘But we can’t afford to shoot it in Boston, we’re gonna shoot it in Toronto.’ I was like, ‘No, no.’ So, I said, ‘Listen, I’ll give back 50% of my paycheck if we can go to Boston.’ I did,” he explained.

Unfortunately, that was still not sufficient to alter the decision. “And they said, ‘You can give back 100% and so can the rest of the cast, we cannot film this show in Boston.’ It’s so expensive. For the most part, we shoot in Toronto.”

He also noted that filming in Boston presents additional challenges. Crowded streets and busy areas can hinder production and complicate scene shooting.

The first season of ‘Boston Blue’ is currently available on Paramount+, and the show has already been renewed for a second season.

This situation highlights the significant financial factors at play in television production. Even when actors are willing to forfeit part of their pay, it may not be enough to sway major decisions. At the same time, filming in the actual location can enhance a show’s authenticity. What are your thoughts? Should productions invest more to remain true to their settings, or is it acceptable to film in more affordable locations? Share your opinions in the comments.