(Photo by: Fernando Marrero/ SONY/ NBC)
This week, The Blacklist wrapped its run on NBC after 10 seasons and 218 episodes. Star James Spader recently spoke about ending the series after a decade playing Raymond “Red” Reddington.
Starring Spader, Diego Klattenhoff, Hisham Tawfiq, Anya Banerjee, and Harry Lennix, the NBC drama followed Reddington as he worked as an FBI informant in New York City.
Spader said the following about The Blacklist, per USA Today:
“I really felt like this was complete and I loved how it really completed a circle, in a way. It wasn’t just an unbroken line from point A to point Z, but it was a circle of sorts.
I would not be as curious about a show that was either just a drama or a show that was just a comedy. I felt that it was sort of nice that this show was very, very intense and brutal at times and then, at other times, very irreverent and sometimes very emotional.”
He also spoke about his popular character:
“He’s a scary monster and people like him. He inhabits the whole world, he really does. He lives in it and he really loves it. And he loves life. I guess one would understand the value of life if one has to take it every so often.
He’s someone who would show reason and caution but he was never fearful of anything. That sort of combination, I think, is compelling for people when faced with so much in one’s life and the world around you.
I think there’s something compelling, I guess, in losing yourself in a story, going on a ride along with someone, not fearful of whatever might be around the next corner or what might be across that threshold that you’re just about to cross.”
NBC also released its look-back video featuring Spader. Check that out below.
What do you think? Are you a fan of The Blacklist? Are you happy with how the story wrapped up? Did you want to see another season of the NBC drama?
So what happened to Katerina? Who is Raymond Redington? Unanswered Questions ?
I just watched the final episode. I have to admit it was a bit strange. Thankfully it wasn’t the fiasco the 9th season finale was. After that weird ending, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see any more of the Blacklist. However I didn’t want one bad part of show ruin what had been a great series. This last season was back to the old show. I will also miss it like the rest of it’s fans. Hopefully we’ll see the fantastic James Spader back soon.
I loved every minute of the show, and I’d love to see more of it , in another (11th) season.A season revealing who Raymond Reddington really was.Please.
James Spader is IT. I will watch anything he has decided to participate in. I loved his part in Boston Legal and, of course, the Blacklist’s Raymond Reddington. I did not miss an episode. I won’t even get started on his movies. He is absolutely the best. Will miss seeing him on a regular basis. Maybe something else will come along that he likes.
Love Spader he is a master of what he does. The ending was surprising but after I thought about it for a while I understood that this was the only way it would have gone. Red was a fugitive. He was not going to jail to live out his years he was going on his terms he was comfortable with death. Wish Spader got an Emmy for this performance. I am looking for another show to watch but I am so spoiled by this one. Via con Dios Red
It was a lovely ending to a spectacular show. Will miss watching Spader do his “red thing” every week. Selfishly hope he finds another project he adores soon (after a bit of a rest) so we can see him on-screen again.
Watched every episode. James Spader was exceptional embodying such a ruthless criminal with a heart of gold for those he cared about. Was happy Dembe survived but that Red got to end the Senator’s investigation, permanently. Once we found out he went back for the bull’s head & got to Seville, the ending wrote itself. Perfect.
Loved this show. Just finished watching the last 2 episodes. I hated the ending. I expected him to just “disappear.”
I absolutely love this show, but as a fan for the last 10 seasons I felt let down. It left so many unanswered questions and not even a mention of the character Liz (who was so important to the show . I wished they had answered so many questions that we didn’t have the answers to. They could have continued in a movie form every once in awhile (such as the hit show Luther).
Who was Raymond Reddington in reality unfortunately was not revealed!!!
Watched the last two shows simultaneously. I was left so emotional that I had to get out. Went for a walk with the dogs. I still feel emotional about it. Not sure what to say….