'Sheriff Country' and 'Boston Blue' just got a major update — here's what's next for CBS' hit spinoffs
CBS appears to have cracked the code for making spin-off shows outperform the flagship. When the network unveiled its fall lineup back in October, both 'Boston Blue' and 'Sheriff Country' were just two rookie shows. In due course, both the Friday night dramas proved their mettle, grabbed eyeballs, and earned a season 2 renewal. Yes, you read that right! Deadline reports that both 'Boston Blue' and 'Sheriff Country' have been renewed for a second season.
'Boston Blue' has been developed as an offshoot of 'Blue Bloods' and features Donnie Wahlberg in the leading role as Danny Reagan. The events of the show take place after Danny quits the NYPD and takes up a new job at the Boston Police Department. Alongside Danny is Sonequa Martin-Green's Detective Lena Silver. Similarly, 'Sheriff Country' is a spinoff of the hugely popular show 'Fire Country' and follows Morena Baccarin's Mickey Fox, who is the Sheriff of the sleepy California town of Edgewater.
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, recently released a statement announcing the renewal of the two shows. As quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, Reisenbach declared, "Two new shows on Friday night have become instant hits with audiences quickly embracing Boston Blue and Sheriff Country across broadcast and streaming. These early renewals reflect the power of character-driven storytelling, compelling narratives, and the exceptional talent on both sides of the camera."
The 10 pm Friday night slot is quite coveted for any network. It is a testament to the popularity of the two afore-mentioned shows that they have consistently delivered high viewership ratings throughout their run. As per Nielsen, 'Boston Blue' has amassed an average of 8 million viewers in both live and a seven-day tally, as per Variety. The streaming services have further received a significant boost of 87% with the airing of the show. "Sheriff Country" isn't far behind with its average of 7.6 million viewers across the live and seven-day tallies.
One of the reasons both these shows work so well is that they have the privilege of calling back to previously established narrative worlds and characters. For instance, Danny's past from 'Blue Bloods' often resurfaces in 'Boston Blue', prompting him to renegotiate his tenuous relationship with those around him and his own self. Coupled with the wholesome relationship shared between Danny and Silver, the show excels whenever it has the two of them together in a scene. Moreover, the character of Danny's son Sean Regan from 'Blue Bloods' is an important fixture in 'Boston Blue'. In a similar vein, 'Sheriff Country' skilfully exploits the interconnections between Fox, her ex-husband Travis Fraley, deputy Cassidy Campbell, and Fox's second Deputy Nathan Boone. Interestingly, Max Thieriot and Kevin Alejandro also appear in crossover characters from the mothership show.
