Entertainment
‘Boston Blue’ Star Promises That Fans Will Be “Knocked Back” by the Season 1 Finale
[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Boston Blue Season 1, Episode 14.]
Summary
In Episode 14 of the CBS drama series Boston Blue, entitled “Blood Chemistry,” Sean (Mika Amonsen) and Jonah (Marcus Scribner) find themselves caught up in a dangerous drug ring that’s dropping bodies, drawing Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) into the case. An undercover operation forces Sean to face the way he left things (translation: ghosted) with Penny (Xochitl Gomez) and he learns that a genuine apology can go a long way. At the same time, the Silvers are learning that you can’t stop family secrets from bubbling to the surface, especially when you’re determined to get answers.
Collider recently got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Martin-Green about Episode 14 and what’s still to come in the following six episodes of the first season. During the interview, she discussed the growing size and scope of these final episodes of Season 1 and why viewers will be “knocked back” by them, what Lena does on her days off, their incredibly talented guest stars, whether she’s rooting for Sean and Penny, Lena’s love life and having her real-life husband also on the show, Lena’s desire to learn more about her father, what she’d like to see in Season 2, finale cliffhangers, and which other CBS series she’d like to do a crossover with. Martin-Green also shared what she learned from her time on the popular franchise series The Walking Dead and Star Trek: Discovery.
‘Boston Blue’ Continues To Broaden Its Size and Scope Until the Season 1 Finale
“We cover a lot in Season 1.”
Collider: This episode was so much fun because it feels like the sweet spot of the show where you get to have this big case that affects a lot of people, but then you also have a shootout and you have all the family stuff. It seems like everything you want from a show like this.
SONEQUA MARTIN-GREEN: It is. Especially coming back from the holiday break, I think that people are going to be pretty knocked back by the size and scope and depth of the stories in the second half of the season. We’ve got a long way to go and there are more stories to tell in Season 2. We’re so grateful that we’re going to be coming back. But we cover a lot in Season 1, so I’m excited to see where we go from here. To your point, there are so many things that we covered in this episode, and in the next six as well.
I love that we get to see glimpses of Lena outside of work, and we see her at family dinner, but if we could follow her for an episode on her day off, what would you want to see her do?
MARTIN-GREEN: That is such a good question. I have never heard that question before. I would say that it would be great to see what Detective Lena Silver’s self-care day looks like. People who work these kinds of jobs, it’s survival. It is imperative that they check out and decompress. We talk about it a little bit in the story. We talk about the things that we do when we’re on our off days, and I love that you do get to see these people in their off times. But it would start with some sort of quiet time, just being out in the sun, in prayer and meditation. And then, you’re going to see me go for a run. And then, I’m going to go for a massage. And then, I’m going to cook my own meal. It would be by the book because the discipline applies to the self-care day too.
I feel like she would also turn her phone off and tell people not to bother her on her day off.
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, yeah. A lot of reading.
‘Boston Blue’ Sets Up Shocking Tragedy in Explosive New Episode Sneak Peek [Exclusive]
Sonequa Martin-Green’s detective is blindsided in this week’s intense new episode.
The moment in Episode 13 when Lena is clearly upset about her grandfather being shot was heartbreaking, and his health issues carry over in a different way into this episode. First of all, what was it like to shoot that scene with Ernie Hudson, when you had to be so scared about whether he’d be okay? Was that something you had to shoot over and over again?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, man, we did have to do it quite a few times. It was crazy. Ernie is such a joy to work with. You can just sit with him and listen and learn. He’s so open and gracious and hilarious. It was freezing outside that day. We were all freezing, so that added an element of tension to the moment and maybe to the scene. There was a point in one of the takes where I ran over and pressed on his wound, and as soon as they said, “Cut!,” he said, “Ow!” He was joking because, obviously, it was just a fake dressed wound, but he always finds the perfect joke in the moment. He disarms us all the time. I busted out laughing, and I had just been crying. It was a lot of fun. It was difficult. That happening to grandpa was a big story point, and we knew that the audience was going to [panic], just like we did. What a scare that was. I enjoyed it. Those moments are always a lot of fun to play.
On a show like this, you have to have a lot of guest stars cycling in and out, so it’s fun when you can have a guest star that has a history with one of the characters and can be a bit more playful. I thought there was something really fun about Kenzie (Kate Rockwell) in this episode. Did you find that character fun?
MARTIN-GREEN: Yes, absolutely. I feel like we have some of the best guest actors, ever. They’re just pulling out stellar performances, week to week. I love it. I love that whole storyline, and I love all the humor and levity that we get with that. I want more.
Sonequa Martin-Green Is Rooting for Sean and Penny in ‘Boston Blue’
“There’s such a sweetness to the way they relate to each other.”
This episode also brings back Penny in a way that not only makes Sean have to confront how he treated her but also puts her directly in the path of Sean’s father, Danny. How was it to have her back? Are you rooting for Sean and Penny to figure it out?
MARTIN-GREEN: Yes! I like their dynamic. I think it’s sweet. There’s such a sweetness to the way they relate to each other and to the way that they’ve built their relationship up to this point. Of course, yes, we love our guest actors, and I always want to see more of them. I feel that it’s important for just the building of the world. The showrunners, the Brandons (Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier) have talked about that a lot. They really want to expand this world, and they really want there to be people that you get accustomed to seeing. That’s how we do it. We bring these people back who’ve made an impact on the show, and we keep bringing them back because we’re expanding our world. So, I would say that I root for Sean and Penny.
They’re so cute, and this show needs to have some cute.
MARTIN-GREEN: It has to. You’ve got to have the cute with the heavy.
The midseason finale airs on CBS tonight.
We’ve also gotten to see a little bit of a romantic life for Lena, with Detective Brian Rodgers (Ryan Broussard). Are we going to see any more of that this season? It’s probably hard to find ways to work that in with the weekly cases.
MARTIN-GREEN: Yeah, and we talk about that. I think they used to talk about that a lot on Blue Bloods as well. It is difficult. Even with Baez and Danny, they’re having difficulties because the job is so demanding, and then you add the distance between them. The same is true for Lena and Brian. They both understand the job. They used to be partners, and now they’re together, but it is just so demanding. Can two people continue to pour into a relationship when they’re putting all that they have into solving these crimes and getting justice for the victims? That’s part of why it’s interesting because you see how difficult it is. You see the push and the pull and the strain of it. I think a lot of people can relate to that. They can relate to what a relationship really requires and making the decision that maybe you don’t have it to give, or maybe you do. I just love that all of those relationship dynamics are at play. There are the romantic relationship dynamics, and then there’s the family relationship dynamics, and we don’t shy away from any of them. I applaud the Brandons and the writers for doing that and for not being scared.
Your husband, Kenric Green, is also on the show. Do you guys conspire to come up with ways to get your characters in scenes together?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, my gosh, we joke about it all the time. Kenric even said, and I feel like this is the best one, “We’ve got to put a Price on Silver,” because his character’s name is Charlie Price. I was like, “Oh, my goodness, that’s just too good.” We were all laughing about it. I think we literally have only had one moment in the same scene on the show because I’m so rarely in that world with him and my mom, Mae (Gloria Reuben). We certainly would love, of course, to see more of Lena and Charlie interacting with each other. We’re not so subtle about it either. Maybe we should cool it down. It’s a dream for us to be on this show together, especially because of everything that the show represents, and we always want to work together. If you give us an inch, we might take a mile.
There’s also a bit of Danny poking fun at Lena when it comes to her wanting to do this interview with the reporter. He says to her, “Maybe you just want the whole world to see the amazing Detective Lena Silver in all of her glory.” And she talks about wanting representation for little Black and Brown girls to see her wearing the badge and making a difference. But would it be so bad if she really just wanted everyone to see how good of a detective she is without any further justification? I feel like she’s entitled to some recognition without having to apologize for it or explain it to anyone, including her partner.
MARTIN-GREEN: You know, I love that perspective. I think that you’re absolutely right. It’s interesting with Lena though, because there was a crossroads in her life. She had to decide, “Am I going to join my family and be in the law enforcement community, or am I going to be an artist?” For that reason, yes, and because of the talent that is inherent, it is worth sharing your art. Being a detective and an artist at the same time seems like a conundrum, for sure. But I love that Lena admits what it really is about. I love that self-awareness and the fact that she has the courage to admit it. It’s vulnerable, but she’s going to say it out loud. It’s because she [wants her father] to see it. I think that alone is commendable and interesting. [With her father], there are all those wounds and everything that’s leading to that. The truth of the matter is that the justification is not needed, but that’s a journey that she’s going to have to take.
Stay Tuned to ‘Boston Blue’ As Lena Continues To Ask Questions About Her Father Before the End of the Season 1 Finale
“This second half of the season seems to be all about exposure and things being unearthed.”
How frustrating is it for her that she can’t get information about her father from her mother? How much more are we going to see that push back and forth with the two of them in the rest of this season?
MARTIN-GREEN: I wish I could tell you everything, but there is definitely more to come with that. There are a lot more things to unearth with that story and I really look forward to it because it’s an important one to tell. Again, I applaud the Brandons for it. I applaud Brandon Sonnier because he’s based so much of the Silvers and Lena and Jonah on his own life, so I appreciate him. We all do. I look forward to everybody seeing it. We’re seeing other things being unearthed as well. Mae just found out about her mom, Lena’s grandmother, and what really happened there. This second half of the season seems to be all about exposure and things being unearthed. There’s a lot more where that came from.
After a season of establishing characters and developing relationships, what are you most excited about getting to do with the second season that you wouldn’t have been able to do with the first season?
MARTIN-GREEN: That’s a good question too. To piggyback on what on you were saying about the guest actors, being able to see more of them, being able to see more of Xochitl, being able to see more of Marisa [Ramirez] and Bridget [Moynahan] and even Len [Cariou] is really exciting. Also, just the actors that come through and give their all for the cases that we’re solving, being able to have more interactions with them. I will also say that I’m really looking forward to more casual moments with the family.
There were so many things that needed to be introduced in Season 1, and we had a lot of ground to cover. I feel like now that we have a solid idea of who these people are, of what their relationships look like, of what the culture of this family is, and of what the bond between the Reagans and the Silvers looks like, now we can spend more time and more of those quiet moments with the family where we’re having what would seem like a surface conversation, but we know there’s so much history beneath it. I really look forward to more moments of levity with the family and getting to see them spending time with each other when they’re not solving cases and when they’re not even necessarily at the Shabbat table, but they’re just together, being a family. I really look forward to that. There will be more opportunities for that in Season 2.
‘Boston Blue’ Just Quietly Shattered a Blue Bloods Franchise Record and No One Noticed
The series stars Donnie Wahlberg.
Are you leaving us on a cliffhanger this season?
MARTIN-GREEN: I am not blowing smoke to say that episodes 15 through 20 are insane. I’m so excited. At the end of the season, there are some open-ended aspects to the story. There are some unanswered questions. There are some cliffhangers by the end of the season. It’s a serious ride until then. You’ll see what I’m saying.
Which CBS TV Series Should ‘Boston Blue’ Do a Crossover With?
“I feel like we should go one by one and crossover with everybody.”
You’re on a network with a lot of other cop shows. There’s FBI, CIA, NCIS, and even Elsbeth and Sheriff Country. You have lawyers with Matlock, firefighters with Fire Country, and even a Tracker that could be useful. In a dream world, which other CBS show would you want to do a crossover with, and which character do you think would be fun to see Lena team up with?
MARTIN-GREEN: Oh, my gosh! If I can cheat and say this, I feel like we should go one by one and crossover with everybody. I’m not going to say one person because we have this wonderful lineup, even just Friday nights. I would love to see crossovers with Sheriff Country and Fire Country because we’re already sharing space with each other. I feel like that makes the most sense, to have crossovers there. They’re always going to be connected, so they’ve had their crossovers and that’s exciting. It would be so nice to get thrown in there. And then, let’s just run through them. I think it could be so much fun. Why not?
Personally, I would love to see you have to work with Wendell Pierce over on Elsbeth.
MARTIN-GREEN: I would love to work with Wendell. I love Wendell. Me and Kenric are such good friends with him. You answered the question for me. Specifically, yes, something with Wendell. I would love to see [Captain Wagner] with Lena and Danny. That would be a hoot.
Sonequa Martin-Green Feels Blessed To Have Been a Part of ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Star Trek: Discovery’
“God is writing this story, and He’s doing an amazing job.”
An actor working on television hopes to have one hit TV series in their career, and you’ve gone from The Walking Dead to Star Trek: Discovery to Boston Blue. What’s it been like to have those experiences, and to be in this experience now?
MARTIN-GREEN: I just couldn’t have imagined it. I couldn’t have predicted it or planned it. When I started on Walking Dead, it was already a Goliath and I was really quite overwhelmed, but just so exhilarated and excited to be a part of something like that. At the time, I was a big fan of the show before I was on it. And then, once that was over, I had no idea I was going to go to a franchise that, dare I say, has had even more impact because it’s longer and older. And then, I certainly didn’t think I’d do it again, coming off of Discovery into another beloved TV franchise. God is writing this story, and He’s doing an amazing job. I am just taking it one day at a time and doing my best to be in the present moment. I’ve certainly learned that over the years.
You’ve got to let the pressure come up and out of you. You’ve got to let it pass through you because it stifles you, and it makes you self-centered. The way to be at your best, creatively speaking, at least, is to be completely available in your heart, and you can’t do that with fear and pressure. You have to let those things go in order to flow freely. I’ve certainly learned that. I’ve learned how to just be another blade of grass in a field of grass, and I’m still growing in that too. It’s just been such a ride, and I’m grateful for it. I’ve come to appreciate it and cherish it in new ways, which is exciting.
Being able to do the movies that I’ve done in the last few years, even She Dances, which is out in theaters now. It’s been a blessing to be able to have hands in everything – to have hands in sci-fi, and to now have hands in the network television procedural world, especially on a show that’s character driven as well. I get to have the character dynamics to play with. That’s so exciting. But then, being able to be a part of really pure, powerful, independent film is great. I do want to get back to the stage, at some point, where I started. I’m loving it. My goal is to get smaller and smaller and smaller, so that the things that are more important get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger.
It must also be a little bit surreal to see that your time on The Walking Dead and Star Trek is done, but those franchises carry on and you can still see these different forms that keep evolving.
MARTIN-GREEN: It is surreal. Your perspective changes because it matures, and it grows, and it purifies, and you start to see things more clearly. Even now, I find myself in so many conversations out in public about Walking Dead because it seems like it’s coming back around. I think a lot of people are returning to that series, and being able to have conversations about that now, I look at it completely differently than I did a decade ago. I can appreciate it in a new way, and I’ve digested the lessons from it. That’s happening with Discovery as well. And now, it’s happening with Boston Blue. Being able to share it with my husband, being able to now begin to share it more with my children because they’re getting older, it’s amazing. It’s wondrous, but not in a lofty way, in a base humanity level way.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Directors
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Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Antonio Negret, Randall Zisk, Jackeline Tejada
- Writers
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Terri Kopp, Pam Veasey, Rebecca Perry Cutter, Brandon Margolis, Brandon Sonnier
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Donnie Wahlberg
Danny Reagan
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Sonequa Martin-Green
Lena Silver
Boston Blue airs on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+.
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