JESSE STONE: THE LAST CALL (2026)

As the calendar turns to 2026, fans of classic TV mysteries and character-driven procedurals have every reason to celebrate: Tom Selleck is set to reprise his beloved role as Jesse Stone in what many sources describe as a new installment tentatively titled Jesse Stone: The Last Call (though some reports and fan discussions refer to it interchangeably as The Last Watch). This project marks the tenth film in the long-running franchise based on Robert B. Parker’s bestselling novels, and it arrives more than a decade after the ninth entry, Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015). With Blue Bloods having wrapped its historic run in late 2025, Selleck—now in his early 80s—has the freedom to return to the quiet, introspective world of Paradise, Massachusetts, delivering what could be the definitive farewell to one of television’s most enduring detectives.

The Jesse Stone series began in 2005 with Stone Cold, a CBS TV movie that introduced audiences to a character who was equal parts noir archetype and deeply human everyman. Adapted from Parker’s nine-novel series (starting with Night Passage in 1997 and concluding with Split Image in 2010), the films follow Jesse Stone, a former LAPD homicide detective who relocates to the sleepy coastal town of Paradise after a messy divorce, alcoholism, and professional burnout. Hired as police chief, Stone navigates small-town crimes—murders, assaults, corruption—while grappling with personal demons: his lingering attachment to ex-wife Jenn, his battles with the bottle, and a quiet, almost poetic loneliness that defines his character.

Tom Selleck’s portrayal has been universally praised for its authenticity. Parker himself declared the adaptations the most faithful to his books, with Selleck aging naturally into the role (the books place Stone in his late 30s, but the films embrace an older, world-weary version). The actor brings a understated gravitas—minimal dialogue, meaningful silences, and a moral code that bends but never breaks. Recurring elements include Jesse’s dry wit, his love for his black Lab mix Boomer (and later Reggie), his therapy sessions with Dr. Dix (William Devane), and his complex friendship with State Police Captain Healy (Stephen McHattie in earlier films).

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Over nine films, the franchise evolved from straight procedural mysteries to deeper character studies. Key entries include:

• Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005): Jesse investigates a serial killer while confronting his past.
• Night Passage (2006): A prequel exploring Jesse’s arrival in Paradise.
• Sea Change (2007), Thin Ice (2009), No Remorse (2010), Innocents Lost (2011), Benefit of the Doubt (2012): These build on recurring villains, personal growth, and Paradise’s underbelly.
• Lost in Paradise (2015): The Hallmark revival saw Jesse suspended and investigating in Boston, with a reduced core cast (Selleck, Kohl Sudduth as Luther “Suitcase” Simpson, Kathy Baker as Rose, William Devane).

After 2015, the series went dormant. CBS stopped ordering new films, and Hallmark’s one-off didn’t spark immediate sequels. Selleck’s commitment to Blue Bloods (as Frank Reagan) took priority, but he repeatedly expressed interest in returning. In interviews around Blue Bloods‘ 2025 finale, Selleck hinted at writing scripts himself and noted fan demand: “Everywhere I go, people ask when another Jesse Stone is coming.”

By late 2025, reports solidified: Hallmark greenlit a new film as part of a potential two-picture deal (though details remain fluid). Fan sites, Reddit threads (especially in r/bluebloods), and entertainment outlets like TV Insider and IMDb News confirmed development. Titles floated include The Last Watch or The Last Call—evocative of a final shift, a last chance at justice, or Jesse hanging up his badge. Plot teases suggest a deeply personal case: an old unsolved murder resurfaces when a new body washes ashore, forcing Jesse to confront unresolved guilt, aging, mortality, and the legacy he’s built in Paradise. Expect themes of redemption, the passage of time, and quiet heroism—hallmarks of the series.

Returning cast members likely include Kohl Sudduth as the loyal, good-natured Suitcase Simpson and possibly Kathy Baker as dispatcher Rose. Jane Adams and Reg Rogers appear in some announcements, potentially reprising or joining in new roles. Longtime director Robert Harmon (who helmed most entries) or a similar veteran could return, preserving the moody, New England aesthetic: foggy shores, autumn leaves, dimly lit bars, and Jeff Beal’s haunting score.

What makes The Last Call so anticipated is its potential as closure. The franchise has always balanced crime-solving with introspection—Jesse’s therapy, his baseball metaphors, his refusal to fully heal. At 80+, Selleck brings real-life gravitas to a character facing the end of his watch. Unlike high-octane action series, Jesse Stone thrives on subtlety: a glance, a sigh, a measured decision. This film could explore Jesse’s retirement, mentoring younger officers, or one final case that ties back to his LA days or ex-wife.

For newcomers, the series is binge-friendly on streaming platforms (Hallmark Movies Now, Prime Video, or cable reruns on INSP, which aired marathons in early 2025). Chronological viewing starts with Night Passage (prequel), then release order from Stone Cold onward. Each film stands alone but rewards continuity—recurring characters, evolving relationships, and Jesse’s slow arc toward self-acceptance.

As 2026 approaches, Jesse Stone: The Last Call represents more than a comeback—it’s a testament to enduring storytelling in an era of reboots and franchises. Tom Selleck’s Jesse isn’t flashy; he’s reliable, flawed, and profoundly decent. In a world craving authenticity, Paradise still needs its chief, even for one last call.

Whether this truly ends the saga or opens the door for more, fans can rejoice: the man with the baseball cap, the measured drawl, and the unyielding sense of justice is back on duty. Watch for premiere announcements on Hallmark—likely a Sunday night event that feels like coming home.