Is Boston Blue actually filmed in Boston? Many CBS fans are wondering the same thing, and the short answer is some filming is done in Boston, but a lot is not done in Boston.
Boston Blue is a spinoff of the well-known series Blue Bloods. The show features Donnie Wahlberg as Detective Danny Reagan, who takes a career-defining leap in his own right and becomes a member of the Boston Police Department. The show made its television debut to CBS viewers on October 17, 2025, and was granted its first season renewal a few months later, in December of 2025.
In this article, we discuss the filming locations of Boston Blue, the scenes filmed in these locations, and the rationale for the filming choices.
Where Was Boston Blue Filmed?
Boston Blue was shot in two primary locations: the Canadian city of Toronto and the American city of Boston. Most of the film was shot in Toronto, whereas Boston was used for location shots and scenes involving prominent landmarks.
| Country | City | Purpose |
| Canada | Toronto, Ontario | Most interiors, studio scenes, street doubles |
| USA | Boston, Massachusetts | Exterior shots, landmark scenes |
Filming started in July 2025 and wrapped up in August 2025.
Boston Blue Filming Locations in Boston, Massachusetts
Even though most of the show is made in Toronto, the team did film real scenes in Boston. Wahlberg made sure of it. Here are the actual Boston locations used in the show.
Fenway Park
One of the most talked-about filming spots is Fenway Park at 4 Jersey Street. This is the home of the Boston Red Sox, one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in America.
Wahlberg filmed a memorable scene here, including a scene shot beneath the famous Green Monster, the big green left-field wall that Fenway Park is known for worldwide.
Here is a fun detail: Wahlberg is a real-life Red Sox fan. For the show, his character Danny Reagan had to act like a New York Mets fan while standing in Fenway Park. Wahlberg talked about how real that was.
Boston Common
Boston Common is one of the oldest public parks in the United States. A high-energy chase scene was filmed here on August 4, 2025.
Fans spotted Wahlberg and his co-stars running through the park while CBS cameras rolled. The scene drew a crowd of onlookers who caught the whole thing on camera.
The famous golden dome of the Massachusetts State House can also be seen in the background of this scene, adding to the authenticity of the Boston setting.
Park Street T Station
The Park Street subway station on Tremont Street appears in the show as well. It is one of the busiest and most recognizable stops on the MBTA (Boston’s subway system), and it adds a real sense of the city to the scene.
Granary Burying Ground
The Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street is one of the oldest cemeteries in America. It is the resting place of patriots like Paul Revere and John Hancock.
A chase sequence was filmed here, with Danny Reagan’s character running through the grounds. Filming at a real historic cemetery brought a gritty, authentic Boston feeling to the scene that no set could replicate.
Ames Building, Downtown Boston
The office of attorney Mae Silver (played by Gloria Reuben) is set inside the Ames Building near Government Center. This building was completed in 1893 and was once one of the tallest masonry structures in the United States at 188 feet tall. It stands as one of Boston’s earliest skyscrapers.
All Boston Filming Locations at a Glance
| Location/ Landmark | Address | Scene |
| Fenway Park | 4 Jersey Street, Boston | Chase scene under the Green Monster |
| Boston Common | Tremont Street, Boston | Fast-paced chase scene |
| Park Street T Station | Tremont Street, Boston | Subway scene, Episode 1 |
| Granary Burying Ground | Tremont Street, Boston | Chase sequence |
| Ames Building | Washington Street, Boston | Mae Silver’s office exterior |
| Downtown Boston | Various streets | Exterior shots, establishing scenes |
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Boston Blue Filming Locations in Toronto, Canada
Toronto is where the bulk of Boston Blue is made. The city’s streets, studios, and buildings are dressed up to pass as Boston. Toronto has done this for dozens of American shows over the years, and it does it well.
Here are the specific Toronto locations used for the show.
Toronto Studios (Main Base)
Most of the interior scenes, including the police station interiors, character homes, and set-built environments, were filmed inside Toronto studios. These controlled environments let the production team build exactly what they need without weather delays or location fees.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch, Toronto
The exterior of the Boston Police Department in the show is actually the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001/042, located in the Woodbine Corridor area of Toronto.
For the police headquarters exterior, the crew used the AstraZeneca Canada building in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto.
Dominion Public Building (First Avenue Bank)
The First Avenue Bank seen in the show was filmed at the Dominion Public Building near Union Station in Toronto. The building was originally built in 1935 to house federal government offices. The Long Room inside the building was also used for interior scenes.
Kingsway Baptist Church, Etobicoke
The Roxbury Baptist Church seen in Boston Blue is actually the Kingsway Baptist Church in Etobicoke, Ontario. Etobicoke is a neighborhood on the western edge of Toronto.
Toronto’s Annex Neighborhood
Erin’s house exterior, which is supposed to look like Boston’s upscale Beacon Hill area, was actually filmed in Toronto’s Annex neighborhood. The Annex has old, brownstone-style homes that look very similar to parts of Boston.
Bloor Street West
Some outdoor street scenes were filmed along Bloor Street West in Toronto. This stretch is known for high-end shops and wide sidewalks. The production team can dress the street to remove Canadian-specific signage and make it pass for Boston.
Queen’s Quay (Waterfront)
A waterfront scene in Episode 3 was filmed at Queen’s Quay along Toronto’s waterfront. The scene was recognizable to some viewers who spotted Toronto’s harbor landmarks in the background.
Brookmount Road and Gerrard Street East
Street scenes were also filmed along Brookmount Road and Gerrard Street East in the Beach neighborhood of Toronto. This area has older homes and quieter streets that can pass as a Boston neighborhood.
All Toronto Filming Locations at a Glance
| Toronto Location | What It Stands In For |
| Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001/042 | Boston Police Station exterior |
| AstraZeneca Canada building, Mississauga | Boston Police Headquarters exterior |
| Dominion Public Building, Union Station area | First Avenue Bank |
| Kingsway Baptist Church, Etobicoke | Roxbury Baptist Church |
| Toronto’s Annex neighborhood | Erin’s house exterior (Beacon Hill stand-in) |
| Bloor Street West | Boston city streets |
| Queen’s Quay | Boston waterfront scene |
| Brookmount Road and Gerrard Street East | Boston neighborhood streets |
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Why is Boston Blue filmed in Toronto?
This is the question most fans have asked, and Donnie Wahlberg has answered it directly in several interviews.
When CBS first offered Wahlberg the role, his first request was to film the entire show in Boston. The network said they could not afford it.
Wahlberg explained it on the Billy & Lisa in the Morning podcast on August 7, 2025:
"The industry has really been beat up from COVID and the strike. CBS, for example, used to make, like, 20 shows a year. They're making two this year."
He also shared a striking comparison about costs:
"It's basically thirty cents on a dollar to film in Canada right now, compared to eighty cents on a dollar, ninety cents from a dollar even with tax breaks."
So the decision came down to money. Filming in Toronto costs a fraction of what it would cost in Boston. Toronto also has strong tax incentives for productions, skilled film crews, and studios that can be dressed up to look like any American city.
Wahlberg was clear that it was not his personal choice. He pushed hard for Boston and made sure at least some of the filming happened there.
How Does Toronto Pass as Boston?
Toronto is one of the most used filming stand-ins in North America. Here is why it works so well for Boston Blue.
| Reason | Details |
| Similar architecture | Toronto has older brick buildings and narrow streets that look a lot like Boston |
| Lower cost | Filming in Toronto costs about 30 cents on the dollar compared to Boston |
| Tax incentives | Ontario offers strong tax credits for TV productions |
| Experienced crews | Toronto has a large pool of skilled film workers |
| Flexible permits | Easier and faster to get filming permits in Toronto |
| Studio options | Many large, well-equipped studios available in the city |
The production team also works hard to remove any Canadian-specific visual cues from each shot. Signs, logos, and license plates are swapped or hidden so viewers think they are looking at Boston.
What Donnie Wahlberg Said About Boston
Wahlberg has been very open about how much it meant to him to film in his hometown, even if only for a few scenes. He is a Boston native and took the matter personally.
After fans complained on his Instagram in late July 2025 about the Toronto filming, Wahlberg replied directly to one fan saying: “Be there in a week with cameras and crew.” And he followed through, bringing the team to Boston Common shortly after.
His goal from the start was to do exterior scenes in Boston every few weeks and move the whole production there if the show became a hit.
“You can’t fake what Boston looks like,” Wahlberg said. “The goal is, let’s compromise to get the show made.”
Show Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
| Show name | Boston Blue |
| Network | CBS |
| Premiere date | October 17, 2025 |
| Time slot | Fridays, 10 PM |
| Genre | Police procedural drama |
| Creator | Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis |
| Star | Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan |
| Co-stars | Sonequa Martin-Green, Ernie Hudson, Maggie Lawson, Gloria Reuben |
| Filming start | July 2025 |
| Season 2 | Renewed in December 2025 |
| Based on | Blue Bloods (CBS, 2010–2024) |
Is Boston Blue the same as Blue Bloods?
No, but it is closely connected. Boston Blue is a direct spin-off of Blue Bloods, which ran for 14 seasons on CBS from 2010 to 2024. Wahlberg played Danny Reagan for all 14 seasons of that show.
In Boston Blue, Danny leaves the NYPD after his son Sean (played by Mika Amonsen) gets injured in Boston. Danny moves to Boston and joins the Boston Police Department, where he partners with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green).
Some characters from Blue Bloods make guest appearances in Boston Blue, including Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) and Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), adding continuity for fans of the original show.
Can You Visit the Boston Blue Filming Locations?
Several of the real Boston locations are open to the public. Here is a quick guide.
| Location | Can You Visit? | Notes |
| Fenway Park | Yes | Tours available year-round |
| Boston Common | Yes | Open public park, free to enter |
| Granary Burying Ground | Yes | Free to visit, open daily |
| Park Street T Station | Yes | Active subway station |
| Ames Building | Limited | Commercial building, lobby access only |
| Dominion Public Building, Toronto | Limited | Government building |
| Bloor Street West, Toronto | Yes | Public street, open to everyone |
| Queen’s Quay, Toronto | Yes | Public waterfront area |
Final Thoughts
Boston Blue is set in Boston, but most of it is made in Toronto. That is the reality of TV production today. With tighter budgets and rising costs, networks look for ways to keep shows affordable. Toronto is one of the best cities in the world at stepping in and making it work.
The good news for fans is that the real Boston shows up where it counts. Fenway Park, Boston Common, and the Granary Burying Ground give the show a genuine sense of place that no Toronto street could fully replace.
Wahlberg’s goal is to film more in Boston as the show grows. With a second season already confirmed, there is a real chance that the show will spend more time in its namesake city going forward.
Boston Blue airs on CBS on Fridays at 10 PM.
