Blue Bloods Season 12 - What We Know So Far

Police procedurals are good business for the biggest TV networks. From "NCIS" to "Law & Order," there are plenty of people who will come back week after week to see what kind of crime their favorite characters can solve next. That's definitely been the case on CBS, where for well over a decade now, audiences have been able to search for clues alongside the Reagan family as they clean up the streets of New York City on "Blue Bloods."

The show's currently on Season 11, and it's not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. Star Tom Selleck has even gone on the record as saying he thinks there are plenty more stories to tell within this family dynamic. The show's already been renewed for Season 12 (via Deadline), and assuming the interest is still there from audiences and the cast, Seasons 13, 14, and 15 may not be far behind. For the time being, here's what we know about Season 12 of "Blue Bloods."

An official release date hasn't been announced yet, but one would assume "Blue Bloods" would stick relatively close to the fall premiere it's enjoyed over the last decade. Seasons 1 through 10 all debuted their first episodes in September of their respective years. The only season to buck that trend is Season 11, which premiered in December of 2020, but that was a result of delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. With the outbreak getting more under control, the show should be able to go back to its normal spot on the calendar.

The series has staked a claim for Friday night entertainment, and that's likely to continue being the case going forward into Season 12. Another aspect of the show that should go back to normal with the upcoming season is the episode total. Most seasons of "Blue Bloods" have been made up of 22 or 23 episodes, but for the most recent outing, the number was reduced to 16. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it would be our guess that more episodes would be part of the oncoming Season 12. 

While nothing has been stated to the public one way or the other just yet, it's assumed that the main cast members will all return for "Blue Bloods" Season 12 to reprise their roles. This includes Tom Selleck as the family patriarch, Frank Reagan, along with Donnie Wahlberg as his son, Danny. Other expected returns include Len Carious as Henry, Will Estes as Jamie, Bridget Moynahan as Erin, Vanessa Ray as Eddie Janko-Reagan, and Marisa Ramirez as Maria Baez. 

Some other familiar faces should be seen periodically throughout Season 12 of "Blue Bloods." Sami Gayle, who plays Nicky Reagan-Boyle, has dropped down to a recurring role in Season 11 due to the actress going off to college in real life. The same holds true for actor Andrew Terraciano, who plays Danny's son, as he's gotten older and has other responsibilities to pursue. While some actors may no longer be featured in every single episode from here on out, we're betting it's not the last time they've been seen at the Reagan family dinner.

As a police procedural, "Blue Bloods" tends to follow a crime-of-the-week format. Each episode begins with some sort of problem, and with different positions across New York law enforcement, the Reagans have to figure out who's behind the misdeeds. That being said, there are still some overarching story lines that flow from one episode to the next. Season 11 has seen the characters adjust to discovering that Frank's son Joe, who was killed in the line of duty, had a secret son none of them knew about until now. The most recent season sees the Reagans adjust to the new relative, even inviting him over to their weekly family dinner. 

Season 11 has also seen the show delve more into sociopolitical issues, from police brutality to trans rights. With police departments around the country continuing to be caught on camera committing abuses, there's plenty of real-life material for "Blue Bloods" to pull from in future episodes, if it so desires.