Donnie Wahlberg Offered to Cut His Pay by 50% to Film “Boston Blue” in Boston, but High Production Costs Forced Series to Shoot in Toronto

Donnie Wahlberg said he was willing to give up a large portion of his salary in an effort to film the TV series “Boston Blue” in Boston, but production costs made that impossible.

In an interview on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Wahlberg explained that he pushed to keep the “Blue Bloods” spinoff authentic to its setting. The show follows his longtime character, Danny Reagan, and is set in Boston. However, most filming takes place in Toronto.

Wahlberg said he was initially excited about the idea of a spinoff and expected it might be set in a warmer location. When Boston was proposed, he agreed, but only if it could be filmed there.

According to Wahlberg, producers told him early on that shooting in Boston would be too expensive. He said he offered to give up 50% of his paycheck to help offset costs, but the offer did not change the decision.

“They said even if I gave back 100% of my salary, and the rest of the cast did too, it still wouldn’t be enough,” Wahlberg said.

In addition to higher costs, he noted that filming in Boston presents logistical challenges. Busy streets, crowds, and tour groups can interfere with production schedules.

As a result, the series is primarily filmed in Toronto, which is often used as a stand-in for U.S. cities due to lower production expenses and more flexible filming conditions.

“Boston Blue” has already been renewed for a second season. Its first season is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.