Rachel Evans
The CBS drama Blue Bloods follows the Reagan family, a close-knit, Irish Catholic family with a long history of policing in New York. The show stars Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan, who are Catholics in real life. The show is not Catholic-sponsored, but it does portray the Catholic faith with compassion and realism. It features scenes inside and outside churches within the Diocese of Brooklyn, and its writers have tried to be savvy and sophisticated in matters of Catholic faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic cast members | Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan |
| Catholic script writers | Siobhan Byrne O'Connor |
| Catholic characters | The Reagan family |
| Catholic themes | Family, faith, grace before meals, moral and religious issues, discussions about Catholic and other religious topics |
| Catholic filming locations | St. Patrick's Church at 95th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights |
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What You'll Learn
- Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan are Catholic in real life
- The show features a devout Irish Catholic family
- The show's writers have tried to be savvy and sophisticated in matters of Catholic faith
- The show presents Catholicism with compassion and realism
- Church scenes are filmed at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge
Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan are Catholic in real life
While the cast of Blue Bloods is not entirely Catholic, three of its lead actors—Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan—are reportedly Catholic in real life.
Tom Selleck, who plays Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the show, is known for keeping his private life shielded from the public eye. However, through his interviews and public appearances, he has offered glimpses into the role of Christian values and faith in his life. Selleck has shared the significance of prayer in his daily life and acknowledged how faith has influenced his decision-making and personal growth. His philanthropic efforts and commitment to service align with Christian principles of generosity and stewardship. Additionally, Selleck's choice of roles often reflects his values, as he tends to avoid characters that conflict with Christian principles. His portrayal of Frank Reagan embodies leadership, integrity, and a strong moral compass, addressing issues through a lens that frequently mirrors Christian ethics.
Bridget Moynahan, who rose to fame with her roles in "Sex and the City," "Coyote Ugly," and other Hollywood productions, was born into a devout Catholic family. Her parents, descendants of the Irish diaspora, instilled Catholic beliefs and values in their household. Moynahan's Catholic faith has been a grounding force in her life, influencing her decisions and interactions. As a single parent, she prioritizes her son's religious education and the character-building aspects of Catholic doctrines.
Donnie Wahlberg, though not as openly Catholic as his co-stars, is married to Jenny McCarthy, who has publicly spoken about her spiritual and religious beliefs. While there isn't specific information about Donnie's Catholic upbringing, his wife's spiritual journey and their shared values suggest a common ground in their beliefs.
In conclusion, while the cast of Blue Bloods may have diverse religious backgrounds, Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan's Catholic faith has been a notable aspect of their lives, impacting their careers and personal journeys in varying degrees.
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The show features a devout Irish Catholic family
The show "Blue Bloods" features a devout Irish Catholic family, the Reagans, who live in Brooklyn, New York. The family consists of four generations, with a long history of policing in New York. The great-grandfather, Henry, is a former New York City police commissioner, and his son, Francis Xavier (Frank), is the current commissioner. Frank's children are also involved in law enforcement: Danny is a zealous detective on the NYPD, Jamie is a young beat cop, and Erin is an assistant district attorney. The show also includes Frank's father, police commissioner emeritus, Danny's wife, two young boys, and Erin's teenage daughter.
The Reagans are portrayed as a close-knit family committed to their Catholic faith. They say grace before meals, including the Sign of the Cross, and discuss moral and religious issues. The show has been praised for its respectful portrayal of Catholicism and its positive depiction of family and faith. Church scenes for the production have been filmed at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, adding to the realism of the show's portrayal of Catholicism.
The cast of "Blue Bloods" includes Tom Selleck, who plays Frank Reagan, the New York City police commissioner. Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan, who are Catholics in real life, also star in the show, along with Will Estes and Len Cariou. One of the program's scriptwriters, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, is also Catholic and has married into a family of police officers. This personal connection to the subject matter may contribute to the show's sensitive and respectful portrayal of Catholicism.
The show's depiction of Catholicism has been a crucial aspect of its success and uniqueness among recent hyper-realistic police dramas. The writers have tried to portray the Catholic faith with sophistication and respect, and the show has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the culture of Roman Catholicism. The small moments in pizzerias, taxis, city parks, and street scenes shot all over the five boroughs of New York contribute to the authenticity of the Catholic portrayal.
In conclusion, "Blue Bloods" presents a devout Irish Catholic family, the Reagans, with a rich history of policing in New York. The show's sensitive and respectful portrayal of Catholicism, combined with its realistic depiction of family dynamics and faith, has resonated with audiences and contributed to its enduring popularity.
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The show's writers have tried to be savvy and sophisticated in matters of Catholic faith
The show "Blue Bloods" is a police drama about a family of cops, the Reagans, who are proud of their Catholic faith. The show has been praised for its portrayal of Catholicism and Catholic family values with compassion and realism. The show's writers have tried to be savvy and sophisticated in matters of Catholic faith, and this is evident in the following ways:
Firstly, the show accurately portrays a typical Catholic family as it is, not an idealized version. The family struggles with various problems, such as divorce, faith in the face of tragedy, and debating whether to get married in the Church. The show also addresses the family's disagreements with Catholic teachings on homosexuality, portraying a family that disagrees with the Church as a part of the American Catholic landscape.
Secondly, the show presents the Catholic faith with sensitivity and realism. The characters' convictions about prayer are addressed reverently, and some family members struggle honestly with their faith and church teachings. Frank and Henry, the father and grandfather, are firm in their beliefs and know how to argue in favor of their faith. The show also tackles controversial topics, such as homosexuality and clerical abuse, without an agenda, focusing on depicting real people in ordinary and extraordinary situations.
Thirdly, the show incorporates Catholic practices and rituals into the narrative. Every episode includes a Sunday dinner scene, where the family says grace before meals, making them the only network TV family shown praying regularly. The Sunday dinner scene is used to tackle moral issues and is considered the most Catholic moment in each episode.
Lastly, the show utilizes Catholic churches and locations within the Diocese of Brooklyn to add authenticity to the production. Church scenes are filmed at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge, and Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, a real-life chaplain for the New York City Fire Department, has appeared in an episode. The show's attention to detail and willingness to engage with Catholic culture and locations contribute to the sophistication of its portrayal of Catholic faith.
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The show presents Catholicism with compassion and realism
The CBS television show "Blue Bloods" showcases the culture of New York City and its police department. The show features and depends on the richness of Catholicism, which is a particular bonus. The show centres on four generations of the Reagan family, close Catholics with a deep connection to the New York criminal justice system. The show's depiction of family and faith are crucial aspects of what makes Blue Bloods unique among other recent hyper-realistic police dramas.
One of the program's scriptwriters, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, is a Catholic and has married into a family of police officers. However, some viewers believe that the writers of "Blue Bloods" have tried to be savvy and sophisticated in matters of Catholic faith, with their goal being to embarrass the Church. The show is not a Catholic-sponsored program by CBS, and while it professes to be Catholic externally, a closer look can occasionally pose a conflicting view.
The show's cast includes series star Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan, Catholics in real life.
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Church scenes are filmed at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge
The CBS series "Blue Bloods" features the fictional Reagan family, a close-knit, devout Irish Catholic family that says grace around the dinner table and attends church in their neighbourhood. The church scenes for the production have been filmed at St. Patrick's Church at 95th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The house used for exterior shots of the Reagan home is also located in Bay Ridge and has belonged to the Eparchy of Saint Maron since 1978. The interior scenes, on the other hand, are filmed at soundstages in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
St. Patrick's Church is not the only diocese church in Brooklyn to be featured in movies and television. The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, for example, has served as a filming location for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," while St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church in Greenpoint was featured in the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire."
The use of Catholic churches as filming locations offers these houses of worship an added source of revenue, helping parishes support their financial needs. It also provides an opportunity for interaction between the studios, actors, and executives, and the Church. This can lead to interesting conversations and new perspectives on faith, as noted by Tubiolo, who is involved in negotiating the terms for the usage of diocese churches in productions.
The church scenes in "Blue Bloods" are particularly notable, with the season 9 wedding episode featuring a star-studded cast and a vibrant atmosphere on set. The episode depicted the wedding of Jamie Reagan and Eddie Janko, with the scene ending as Janko was being walked down the aisle by Frank Reagan. While the wedding itself was not shown, the build-up and the church setting created a heartwarming moment for viewers.
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Frequently asked questions
While some cast members of Blue Bloods are Catholics in real life, including Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan, the show's lead actor Tom Selleck is neither Catholic nor very religious.
Blue Bloods follows the Reagan family, a close-knit, devout Irish Catholic family with a long history of policing in New York.
Blue Bloods has been praised for its portrayal of Catholicism, showcasing the culture of Roman Catholicism and the richness of the Catholic faith. The show has also been commended for its sensitive and realistic portrayal of clergy and religious figures.
Church scenes in Blue Bloods were filmed at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which has belonged to the Eparchy of Saint Maron since 1978.
