Key Takeaways:
– James Spader, who played Raymond ‘Red' Reddington in ‘The Blacklist', says the series' tone and direction changed after the major behind-the-scenes shifts post-season 8.
– The departure of actress Megan Boone and series creator Jon Bokenkamp led to a shift in storyline and creative direction, impacting the series' identity.
– The series saw a notable decline in viewership, dropping to almost one-third of its original number by the ninth season.
James Spader Speaks on the Series End
Appearing as the main character Raymond “Red” Reddington in the hit NBC series ‘The Blacklist' for ten seasons, actor James Spader delivered an acclaimed performance, earning him immense admiration. During an interview, Spader elaborated on the series ending after the conclusion of its tenth season, and the impossibility of it moving on to an eleventh. It appears the series touched sloping territory after its eighth season, nearing the end of its creative course.
The Series Shift After Season 8
Spader's comments reveal that by the end of season 8, ‘The Blacklist' began to stray from its original tone. With significant creative changes, the series inevitably moved towards its end. As the storyline evolved, the eminent focus on uncovering Red's true identity fizzled out over the final two seasons, aligning with Spader's belief that the series was done by the tenth season.
Behind-The-Scenes Changes That Led to The End
Multiple behind-the-scenes changes brought about a significant shift in the series. For one, actress Megan Boone, who played a crucial character, Elizabeth “Liz” Keen, took exit from the series post-season 8. This departure left an essential plotline, which revolved around Liz learning Red's true identity, hanging without conclusion.
In addition, the series also had to bid farewell to its creator, Jon Bokenkamp, after its eighth season, resulting in a drastic change in creative direction. The void left by the absence of these two pivotal players was notable and added to the series' palpable shift.
Steep Decline in Ratings
The heavy cast and crew departures impacted the series profoundly, especially in the viewership figures. The show's ninth season saw a sharp decline in audience numbers, averaging a meager 5.47 million viewers per episode. This figure was a far cry from the thriving viewership the series enjoyed in its prime years. The decline indicated that ‘The Blacklist' was past its peak and unable to extend beyond the tenth season.
In conclusion, James Spader's reflections explain the reasons behind ‘The Blacklist' concluding its ten-season run. Changes in creative direction and major departures, coupled with dwindling ratings, justified the decision to call it a wrap. The Blacklist leaves behind a legacy of tantalizing crime-thriller television, now streaming on Netflix.
