Boston Blue, the highly anticipated spinoff of Blue Bloods, is filmed in two main locations — the real city of Boston, Massachusetts, and Toronto, Ontario, which doubles for Boston in many scenes. The show’s creators wanted to capture the authentic heart and grit of Boston while maintaining production efficiency, so they balanced on-location shoots with studio work in Canada. In Boston, production crews were spotted filming all over the city, giving the series its genuine urban flavor. Boston Common was used for several major sequences, including the intense foot chase from the pilot episode where Donnie Wahlberg’s character, Danny Reagan, tracks a suspect through the park at sunset while crowds of real commuters walk by. Just a few blocks away, Park Street Station served as a backdrop for scenes depicting Boston’s transit chaos, adding that unmistakable city energy. Another striking shoot took place at the Granary Burying Ground, one of the city’s oldest landmarks, where the crew filmed an emotional moment between characters reflecting on legacy and justice. Fans even caught glimpses of Donnie Wahlberg near Downtown Crossing, filming scenes among real shoppers to capture spontaneous street life. The show’s creative team also used Charlestown and the North End, with their narrow streets and old brick buildings, to emphasize the traditional Boston atmosphere and local authenticity. Fenway Park, though used briefly, appears in exterior establishing shots and nighttime skyline pans, tying the story to Boston’s proud sports culture. But despite these genuine Massachusetts settings, most of Boston Blue is filmed across the border in Toronto, Canada, where the production found both creative flexibility and significant financial incentives. Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market and Front Street often stand in for Boston’s city center, with clever camera work, props, and signage recreating a believable Boston aesthetic. Many of the show’s police precinct interiors, interrogation rooms, and apartment sets are built in Toronto soundstages, giving the crew total control over lighting and space. Several downtown Toronto alleys double as Boston’s side streets, particularly during rain-soaked night scenes that emphasize the show’s darker tone. Production insiders revealed that shooting in Canada costs roughly one-third less than in Boston, allowing the show to expand its scale without stretching the budget. Yet, the decision to film select scenes in the real Boston was intentional — Donnie Wahlberg reportedly pushed hard for it, saying he wanted “the heartbeat of Boston” to shine through. Locals spotted the crew near Beacon Hill, where the old-world charm of brownstone homes and iron fences became the perfect visual metaphor for Danny Reagan’s blend of tradition and toughness. Nearby, Cambridge Street and the Longfellow Bridge were used for sweeping drone shots that transition into the skyline — scenes later featured in the opening credits. The show’s authenticity also extends to sound design; during on-location shoots in Boston, the production captured actual city noise — seagulls, trolley bells, and distant harbor horns — to layer into the final audio mix, giving every episode that unmistakable Boston texture. According to several production sources, filming began in April 2025, with the Boston shoots wrapped by early August. Crew members reported that the city was incredibly welcoming, though traffic control and curious onlookers made some days hectic. In Toronto, production continued into late September, using interior sets for courtroom, police, and domestic scenes. A few sequences were even shot in Mississauga and Hamilton, chosen for their similar architectural feel. The result is a seamless blend of two cities — Boston providing the soul, and Toronto providing the infrastructure. In total, Boston Blue showcases more than a dozen real Boston landmarks, from the Charles River Esplanade to the Massachusetts State House, all woven together with cinematic precision. The show’s director described the approach perfectly in an interview: “Boston gives us the spirit, Toronto gives us the canvas, and together they make the perfect story.”