An optical selector device is disclosed that includes a first arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) demultiplexing an input WDM signal and outputting demultiplexed signals on respective outputs; an array of optical shutters optically coupled to the outputs from the first AWG; a second AWG optically coupled to the array of optical shutters, the second AWG multiplexing optical signals output from the array to form a WDM signal; and a common optical shutter optically coupled to either of the first and second AWGs. The common optical shutter has a default state that is substantially opaque to the WDM signal. Additionally, the array of optical shutters may have a default state that is substantially transparent to the demultiplexed signals. A reconfigurable wavelength blocking device incorporating the optical selector device is also disclosed which additionally includes a controller that controls the optical shutter array to selectively block/pass designated wavelength channels or bands.