In May 2025, CBS confirmed that Sonequa Martin-Green would step into the role of lead detective in Boston Blue, a spinoff of the established Blue Bloods series. This highly anticipated casting sees Martin-Green star alongside Donnie Wahlberg, a longtime favorite in the franchise. Production teams and fans alike expressed excitement for this dynamic pairing, with the show scheduled to debut in fall 2025 on CBS.
Sonequa Martin-Green’s selection as Boston Blue’s top detective, Lena Peters, marks a significant chapter in her acting journey. Born March 21, 1985, in Russellville, Alabama, Martin-Green has built a distinguished career on both television and film. Her appointment to this leading role comes at a time when the Blue Bloods universe is expanding, introducing new faces and family dynamics to audiences who have long embraced the Reagan legacy.
Martin-Green has earlier spoken about the personal and professional experiences that have shaped her. In a 2016 interview, she revealed how her family struggled with cancer, sharing,
She discussed her mother’s resilience, saying,
The challenges Martin-Green has faced have influenced her approach to her work. In 2021, she suffered the loss of both parents in quick succession. Her father died from liver cancer, and her mother passed away a day later from a heart attack. Reflecting on these events during a 2025 interview while discussing her film My Dead Friend Zoe, Martin-Green acknowledged,
Her acting credentials include a memorable performance as Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead from 2012 to 2018. Martin-Green’s television career began with guest spots and supporting roles in shows like Army Wives, The Good Wife, NYC 22, Once Upon a Time, and New Girl, illustrating her broad range and adaptability. Between 2017 and 2024, she held the leading role in Star Trek: Discovery, portraying Michael Burnham over five seasons, and serving as executive producer for the series’ concluding season.
Describing her dual role on Star Trek: Discovery, Martin-Green remarked in an April 2024 interview,
The new series, Boston Blue, places Sonequa Martin-Green’s character, Detective Lena Peters, at the forefront of the action. As Danny Reagan’s new partner at Boston PD, she brings with her the story of being the eldest daughter of a respected law enforcement family. The series aims to refresh the familiar tone of Blue Bloods by introducing Peters’ legacy and perspective, with family ties and police tradition forming pivotal storylines.
During a May 2025 CBS press conference, Martin-Green addressed the show’s prospective audience, noting connections between the established and new families in the franchise.
Off-screen, Sonequa Martin-Green has been married since 2010 to Kenric Green, who is also an actor and has worked with her on The Walking Dead, portraying Scott in several seasons. He has also appeared on Star Trek: Discovery as Mike Burnham. The couple shares two children, Kenric Justin III and Saraiyah Chaunté. In a February 2024 interview, Martin-Green commented on the age-appropriateness of her roles for her children, stating,
She expressed anticipation about sharing her work with her children as they get older.
Sonequa Martin-Green’s recent appearances and her ongoing commitment to storytelling illustrate the dedication she brings to every role. Her move to Boston Blue represents both a significant addition to a well-loved television universe and a fresh opportunity for new stories and relationships to unfold on screen. Her ability to portray multidimensional characters facing personal and professional obstacles has earned her industry respect and a devoted fan following.
The addition of Martin-Green to Boston Blue is already generating interest among Blue Bloods fans, many of whom are eager to see how her character’s history and dynamic with Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan will influence the tone and progression of the spinoff. Early reactions from both viewers and television critics have been positive, suggesting high expectations for the show’s fall 2025 premiere.
With her extensive career, personal resilience, and strong screen presence, Sonequa Martin-Green is expected to bring depth and authenticity to Detective Lena Peters. The character’s background—rooted in law enforcement tradition—will allow Martin-Green to draw on her range and experience, offering audiences a compelling new viewpoint within the Blue Bloods world. The CBS expansion, led by Martin-Green and Wahlberg, has the potential to engage existing fans and introduce the Blue Bloods universe to a broader, younger audience.
As anticipation builds for the premiere, viewers and industry insiders alike will be watching how Sonequa Martin-Green’s portrayal shapes the future of Boston Blue. The success of her past performances suggests that she is well equipped for the challenge, adding to the storied tradition of the Blue Bloods franchise and setting high expectations for what’s to come in the spinoff’s debut season.
