Flex Alexander is opening up about one of the most difficult professional setbacks of his career—his brief but emotionally charged experience with Blue Bloods.
During a recent appearance on The Art of Dialogue, the actor revealed that he was part of the Blue Bloods pilot and originally cast as Detective Danny Reagan’s partner.
But when the CBS drama was picked up and went on to run for an additional 14 seasons, Alexander was quietly left behind—and the fallout hit harder than many viewers might realize.
Alexander said landing the role didn’t come easily. Known primarily as a comedian at the time, he had to fight against industry perceptions to be seen as a serious dramatic actor. “They knew me as a comedian,” he explained, detailing a grueling audition process that involved multiple callbacks, producer reads, and network testing in front of executives.
When Alexander finally got the call that he’d booked the role, the moment felt career-defining. He believed joining a show led by Tom Selleck—one that filmed in New York City—could provide long-term stability for his family. “This could be a solid retirement right here,” he recalled thinking at the time.
However, weeks later, that optimism unraveled. Alexander learned that although Blue Bloods had been officially picked up, CBS chose not to exercise his option. He said the realization came when the cast appeared at network upfronts—and he wasn’t invited. “I’ve been doing this long enough. I know,” he said.
The decision had lasting consequences. Alexander admitted the experience crushed his confidence and pushed him into a deep depression, especially since it came during a period of already limited work. “I was in a depression for a while,” he said, explaining that Blue Bloods felt like the opportunity that could reset everything.
Watching the series span 14 seasons and nearly 300 episodes only added to the sting. Still, Alexander noted that his role wasn’t directly replaced; the show ultimately took a different creative direction.
Years later, he was told secondhand that he “was not wanted back,” a revelation he described as a painful blow to both his livelihood and sense of fairness.
Despite it all, Alexander says he kept going. “I’m still here,” he said. “Ain’t going nowhere.”