Posted in: CBS, TV | Tagged: blue bloods, boston blue

Boston Blue: Hudson on Rev. Peters' Secret, Fans, "Blue Bloods" & More

Boston Blue star Ernie Hudson on tonight's episode, the Peters family secret, the Blue Bloods connection, fans' embrace of the show, and more.

If there's a shared theme between Blue Bloods and its spinoff, Boston Blue, it's the strengthening bond between family. The series expands on Donnie Wahlberg's character, NYPD Detective Danny Reagan, as he makes a new life in Boston and acclimates himself to the Boston PD, and the cop family of the Silvers, partnering with Det Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green) and solving cases. Both the Reagans and Silvers share a family dinner together, typically at the end of every episode, with Reverend Edwin Peters (Ernie Hudson) as the Silver family patriarch. In tonight's episode, "Beautiful Broken Things," we find Hudson's character at his most involved, dealing with the family secret that will affect him and his daughter, Mae's (Gloria Reuben) relationship, as his other daughter (Holly Robinson Peete) visits them. Hudson spoke to Bleeding Cool about the adversity the Peters have to deal with, working with Reuben and Robinson Peete through the tense dynamic, how director Richelle Taylor navigated the episode, what it means having Blue Blood originals like Bridget Moynahan and Len Cariou appear, reprising their respective roles as Erin and Henry Reagan, and how the series resonates with fans. The following contains spoilers.

Boston Blue Star Ernie Hudson on Rev. Peters Working Through Tensions with Daughters, Blue Blood Originals Returning & More

BC: This episode of Boston Blue gets pretty intense for Rev. Peters. What's the biggest challenge for you when you saw the script?

Hudson: Well, I don't know if it's much of a challenge. I was very excited because we had talked about giving the Reverend more range and some more layers. It was an opportunity to show more of his humanity and him as a human being, so I was excited. We never know what's going to happen until a couple of days before. We get the script and see what the next episode is, but there was a lot to play, and it was a lot of fun.

Did you talk with Gloria [Reuben] and Holly [Robinson Peete] about the scene work, with obviously the bombshell being what happened with Edwin's wife, and beforehand, or is it just something that came out organically?

Gloria and I talked. We knew there was a secret, how it was revealed and when it was revealed was a bit of a surprise, but I knew at some point, there were some secrets, and having to deal with my two daughters, and in the way that one knew and the other one did not, was complicated. Obviously, we all had different feelings about it. I think the Reverend, it's a relief for him to get the secret out. For Gloria's character, Mae, she does not take it as well as he hoped she would, and it's quite painful for her. The thing he feared the most, hurting her, is exactly what happened. So. It's like that, all families are complicated, and this complication makes them more human. I think, hopefully, a lot more for the audience to relate to.

What did you like about the way that Richelle handled directing the episode?

Oh, yeah, no, it was just wonderful. I mean, it allowed that space to discover and question things. She did a great job.

Now, you have another Blue Bloods original coming back, visiting the set with Len. What did you like about having him around?

Yeah, having Lynn on the show gives a lot of credibility to Boston Blue. Obviously, we all know it was a spinoff from Blue Bloods, and having members of that cast come and be a part of it, it means everything. Lynn, I've known him for a number of years. We did a pilot for a television series, but it didn't get picked up. He was a judge, I was a bailiff, and so I've known him for and always been an admirer of his work. There's a weightedness of all the years of acting that he brings to it. Bridget Moynahan, who was also on Blue Bloods (as Erin Reagan). She's done a couple of episodes (including the premiere) and directed a couple of episodes, so it's good. I'd love for Tom Selleck (Frank Reagan), but I have no say in that, but it'll be great whenever anyone from Blue Bloods comes on.

With the series being out so far, what's the reception you've had? I'm curious since the series embraces multi-cultural faiths and multi-ethnic backgrounds in the family.

It's been really incredible. People identify with it. I've been on the road traveling. I was in San Antonio, now in Rochester, New York for an event. A lot of people come up, watch the show, and identify with the family dynamic. The religious thing, I haven't heard a lot about it, but for me, that was interesting to play being a Baptist minister and my family being Jewish. Of course, Donnie and his son are Catholic, but I like this coming together of different faiths and ideas. The fans are great.

You work with a very talented ensemble. Did any of them lean into you for tips, perhaps some of the younger ones, like Marcus [Scribner] or Mika [Amonsen]?

Everyone on the show is a veteran on screen, so I don't think anybody would lean on me for any acting tips, but they were all respectful. Of course, there's always a sharing; how we process, how we get to the work is always a little bit different. They're so funny, kind, and respectful. I'm the old guy, I keep reminding myself a lot of times they'll get into a discussion over some TikTok or whatever, and I'm totally lost, but it's fun to work with them. I've become a fan of all their work. Maggie [Lawson] and I had worked together on her show Psyche years ago, so it's a great chance.

One of the show's biggest staples is the dinner at the end. I was wondering: do they change up the meals? Was there a favorite one that you had on there while filming?

Yeah, no, I tend not to do a lot of the [eating]. Donnie Wahlberg will just gobble up all the cucumbers and salads. Every time I start trying to eat and say lines, somehow it just becomes a mess. I've found ways to pretend, but the idea of dinner time is really special.

Are we going to see your character involved in an upcoming episode?

Yeah, I'm not sure. I'm the actor. I don't write, so as much of the surprise as it is for the audience, it's in many ways a surprise to me as well. I am always ready, available, and hopefully, the writers and producers will want to keep me involved and included. You know, tell stories. I think the Reverend brings another layer to this type of show, and I'm excited to see what they come up with.

Boston Blue airs Fridays on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+.

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