‘Blue Bloods’ Star Tom Selleck Gets Candid About the Show in New Interview With Rachel Ray

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Blue Bloods. Of course, considering the popular police procedural has been on for over a decade with 12 seasons under its belt, it’s safe to say we’re not the only ones. Still, even when it’s clear that a show is well-received, it’s only natural to wonder what makes it stand apart from the many, many other procedurals on air. Luckily for us, we get to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

“Great actors and great characters and good writing — that’s why it’s still on,” Tom Selleck, who portrays NYC Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, virtually revealed on the Rachael Ray Show from the set of Blue Bloods.

In addition to revealing why he thinks viewers have tuned in for so long, Tom also shared what drew him to the show in the first place.

“What has always worked for me — or what my appetites are, they go towards character-driven shows,” he said. “So Magnum [P.I.] was character-driven. (I don’t remember half the plots… way less than half.) And when I saw this script, it was character-driven in an age where there [are] just so many procedurals on… I’m sure not bored with it.”

Another thing he’s not bored with? His relationship of more than 30 years. Toward the end of his interview with Rachael, when she applauded both him and Donnie Wahlberg for being such tremendous family-oriented people, Tom revealed that he went to Cats in London eight times just to snag a chance to meet his now-wife Jillie, who was a performer in the show.

Nowadays, he cherishes his 10-day stints at home between filming every two episodes, for that’s where he gets to unwind with Jillie, his new dog Monte (named after a favorite Western character that he played in the early 2000s), a cigar, and whiskey.