For more than a decade, Blue Bloods has captivated audiences with its heartfelt portrayal of the Reagan family — a multigenerational clan of New York law enforcement officers whose Sunday dinners have become one of the most iconic traditions in television history. But as fans have noticed, something subtle changed over the years: the Reagans stopped praying at the dinner table. Once a central part of the show’s early episodes, the pre-meal prayers slowly faded away — leaving viewers wondering why. According to behind-the-scenes insights, the decision wasn’t about losing the show’s moral core, but rather about evolving its storytelling tone. The creators wanted to focus more on the emotional and conversational dynamics of the family — the love, disagreements, and respect that keep them grounded — rather than repeat the same ritual every week. Donnie Wahlberg once mentioned that “the dinner table is where the Reagans’ hearts come out,” and while prayer was an important part of that in the beginning, the emphasis gradually shifted toward dialogue that explored family values in action rather than in ceremony. Still, longtime fans miss those moments of quiet reflection that once framed the family’s faith and unity. Beyond that small change, there are plenty of fascinating details about the Blue Bloods dinner scenes that even the most dedicated viewers might not know. For starters, each dinner scene takes up to 8 hours to film, even though it only lasts a few minutes on-screen. The cast sits around real food — turkey, mashed potatoes, and all — but by the end of filming, most of the food has gone cold. Tom Selleck, who plays Frank Reagan, has admitted that he limits how much he eats during those scenes to avoid continuity problems: “If you take a bite in one shot, you have to take the same bite in every take.” Donnie Wahlberg, on the other hand, is famous for actually eating everything on his plate, no matter how many takes it takes. Another secret? Those dinner scenes are filmed all at once, meaning each cast member has to be available on the same day. That can be tough to coordinate, especially with such a busy ensemble. But it’s a non-negotiable part of the show — a symbol of togetherness that mirrors the family’s core values. Bridget Moynahan once revealed that the cast uses those scenes to catch up on each other’s lives off-camera too: “It really feels like a family dinner. We talk, we laugh, we even get a little emotional.” Interestingly, the table itself has become almost sacred to the cast. The massive wooden dining table used in the Reagan home has been the same since Season 1, carefully maintained by the set crew to preserve its history. Fans also might not know that the dialogue during dinner is often looser than other scenes — the actors are encouraged to improvise small gestures and reactions to make it feel authentic. Len Cariou, who plays Henry Reagan, the family patriarch, often throws in old-school wisdom that isn’t even in the script. The lighting during those scenes is also special — warm, golden hues designed to evoke the intimacy and nostalgia of family gatherings, making viewers feel like they’re sitting right at the table. As for the menu, it’s been carefully curated over the years to reflect traditional New York and Irish-American family fare. The show’s food stylist confirmed that roast chicken, green beans, and apple pie are the most commonly featured dishes, though Tom Selleck once joked that he’d love to see pizza make a cameo one day. Perhaps one of the most heartwarming facts of all is that the Blue Bloods cast has turned the dinner table into their real-life family tradition. Whenever a new season begins filming, they start with a dinner scene — a quiet nod to the importance of family, both on and off-screen. And even though the prayers have faded, the spirit of gratitude, faith, and unity remains deeply embedded in every Sunday meal. For fans, those dinners continue to represent everything Blue Bloods stands for: loyalty, love, and the unbreakable bond of family. 🍷👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💙