Gloria Reuben Talks 'Boston Blue' and Working with Tom Selleck

Gloria Reuben, now known for her starring role as Mae Silver on Boston Blue, has appeared in several of your favorite projects: ER, Law & Order: SVU and Blue Bloods to name a few. The actress and singer has even toured as a backup singer for Tina Turner, but a particularly memorable opportunity came when she starred in the Hallmark Jesse Stone films alongside Blue Bloods’ Tom Selleck.

“I always loved working with Tom,” Reuben shared. “We did the Jesse Stone movies, based on the books and I played his love interest in those. So, we have a whole history.”

Woman’s World had the chance to sit down with Gloria Reuben and discuss her role on Boston Blue, as well as who she would like to see from the Blue Bloods universe in the spinoff.

Woman’s World: What drew you to the role of Mae Silver on Boston Blue?

Gloria Reuben: Well, a number of things. First of all, it always comes down to the writing and, of course, the cast, and both were spot on. When I was asked to take a look at the pilot episode, I was completely drawn in and enthusiastic and passionate, not just about the story, but also about this family. The integration of religion and race and professions, even though it’s all under the umbrella of the law. Needless to say, the role being the district attorney of Suffolk County in Massachusetts, I was, like, ‘I’m in, I love it.’ So all of those things combined definitely made it an easy yes to accept the role.

WW: Erin Reagan on Blue Bloods can be considered your character’s counterpart. How did it feel to jump into this role knowing Mae has some similarities to a beloved Blue Bloods character?

Gloria Reuben: Actually, Mae Silver feels very different in fundamental ways. She’s the mother of three adult children and her husband was murdered the year prior. She is kind of the matriarch of the family. So, I’d say my character would be the female version of Tom Selleck, or Frank Reagan. She’s the head of the table. That’s what I was more leaning towards. Of course, Ernie Hudson plays my father, but in the world of the law around that dining room table, it’s certainly Mae Silver who sits at the head of that story.

At the same time, there is the parallel of this being a multi-generational story and the fundamentals of what a family goes through, personally, morally, professionally, and how it comes down to sitting around the table and breaking bread together. Literally, too, as the Silver family celebrates Shabbat, so we literally break bread together. Sitting down with family and having the trust, openness and the love and respect to be able to talk about anything, that’s what we do on Boston Blue. I’m really happy about that because you never know what’s going to happen, that’s for sure.

It’s a different time. Blue Bloods was on for many years, and of course, the blended family became very much a part of it. Pretty much every family I know — and that’s not to say there aren’t still generational, traditional families — reflects that in some way. But this is a new kind of tradition. The Silver family and this extended Reagan family isn’t just multiracial or multireligious. There are two different families around that dinner table, and that’s really wonderful.”

WW: You also were in a few episodes of ‘Blue Bloods’ in Season 11—what was it like to book a different character in its spinoff?

Gloria Reuben: That was a few years ago, so I had no idea. But I always loved working with Tom. We gotta get him on Boston Blue. I mean, how fun would that be? That would be so iconic. I hope he wants to come on. And Erin [Bridget Moynahan] has been on and she’s terrific. We’ve had a few of our guests from Blue Bloods, so it’s been great.

WW: If you could bring any character onto Boston Blue, whether from Blue Bloods or another show, who would you want to see in Boston?

Gloria Reuben: Oh my gosh, there are countless people with whom I’ve worked that I’d love to have on the show. I don’t even know what to say. A crossover with Boston Blue and ER, although that might kind of freak me out. That would not work (laughs). But there is someone who I might have worked with before that is coming up—that’s all I’m going to say. It’s a great guest star.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM.