‘The Blacklist’ Creator Exits NBC Drama After Season 8 Finale
There’s another major change coming for The Blacklist for Season 9.
Following Megan Boone‘s exit in the Season 8 finale, creator Jon Bokenkamp announced on Twitter that he, too, is leaving the NBC drama, what he called a “difficult decision.” (He was also a writer and executive producer since the premiere in 2013.)
“I love this show with all of my heart, and it’s been an incredible journey, but after eight years I feel it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone, try something new, and explore a few of the other characters and stories that have been crawling around in my head,” Bokenkamp shared. “While I’m excited about this next chapter, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I have mixed emotions about my departure. The Blacklist is a family, and saying goodbye is difficult.”
He went on to explain why he considers his time with the series “a blessing.” “Having the ability to tell a new story every week — to an audience excited to watch — is a dream come true,” he wrote. “I am likely biased, but the Blacklist fanbase is not only the most dedicated and ravenous in television, but whip smart and hard as hell to fool. You are the lifeblood of our show, and it’s your enthusiasm that leaves me feeling — more than anything — grateful.”
Read his full statement below.
To the fans… pic.twitter.com/cSxLz1Q9Ay
— Jon Bokenkamp (@JonBokenkamp) June 24, 2021
Bokenkamp’s exit comes as The Blacklist wrote out Boone’s Liz Keen in the Season 8 finale. She sustained what looked like a fatal gunshot wound to the chest (though she wasn’t pronounced dead onscreen, so anything is possible). That came as Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) had promised she’d learn the truth about who he is (via a letter from her mother) after she killed him to take over the blacklist. (Liz couldn’t pull the trigger.) The finale seemed to be leaning towards confirming the theory that Red is actually Liz’s mother, but nothing definitive has been stated on-screen.
And so in a way, Bokenkamp telling TV Insider that the finale “may not be the ending of the series, but it’s very much the ending of a story we’ve been telling for eight years” fits for more than Liz. It’s true for his story with The Blacklist, too.
The Blacklist, Season 9, Fall 2021, NBC
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R
Please do not end this show!!! This is the best series ever...I love James Spader !
I cried because I don't want this to end !!!
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G
It makes no sense for Red to be her mother. It is like the people wanting red to be in luv with Liz. These people swarm the websites and take away serious conversations about shows.
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O
Wasn’t expecting Liz to be (apparently) killed off, but guess we shouldn’t have been too surprised. And as a few recaps have mentioned, anything can happen on the Blacklist, so she might return in some limited way.
As mentioned in a pre-finale comment, I enjoyed most of the long arc of Liz-Red, but was ready for things to resolve. Best of luck to Megan Boone and -now-Jon Bokenkamp in their future endeavors & thanks for the Blacklist. Looking forward to what’s next in season 9.
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Killing Liz off the Blacklist would be like killing Meredith Grey off Greys Anatomy. And I don’t want Raymond to be liz’s mother. I will not watch the next season if these are the two outcomes. Many people I talk to feel the same way’
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I second that question. "Red is Liz's mother"?? I hope the proof reader is leaving with creator/writer/ex-producer Jon Bokenkamp.
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Red's DNA showed that "he" was Liz's parent in a previous seasonLiz saw her mother (in the 2nd to last show this season say she (Katarina) "mfrd" Red/then they cut to an operating table (the show has had numerous ppl's appearances altered over the years)Red said Liz would never kill "him" if she knew who he really was - she's been desperately seeking her mother & wanted to kill Red when she thought he'd killed her real motherIn the park, Liz showed Red the picture of her mother posing with her as a young girl - Liz asked if Red took the picture & "he" paused & then slowly said "I was there" (as in he was there as her mother).In Liz's final flashbacks of the finale show there were numerous camera cuts back/forth b/wn Liz's mother holding and kissing her & Red doing the exact same motions/gestures & they both had the same color hair flipping b/wn younger Katarina & older Red was the same too....
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G
I love the ending of this show. I am sad to see Liz go but cannot wait to find out what is going to happen on the show.
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Hated to see Liz go and it was a complete surprise but as long as James Spader stays (gotta get rid of his "terminal" disease) and the actor who plays Denbai (spelling?) stays, i'm good.
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And does this mean we will never know the contents of the letter to Liz?
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Red is Liz's mother?
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