NBC has announced that crime thriller The Blacklist has been renewed for a 22-episode fifth season. Though its live ratings are down around 30% this season, The Blacklist adds a considerable amount in non-linear measures and is now adding to its syndication package, meaning that producer Sony has incentive to get more episodes produced. With the show’s 22-episode order, it’s a definite part of the NBC fall schedule; what we don’t know is whether it stays on Thursdays at 10:00 or moves to Friday to revitalize the network’s lineup.
Created by Jon Bokenkamp (Taking Lives), The Blacklist stars James Spader (Boston Legal) as Raymond “Red” Reddington, a member of the FBI’s Most Wanted List for 20 years who turns himself in and claims to want to use his years on the lam to help the bureau apprehend criminals they’re not even aware of yet. In addition to following the chase for every criminal in Red’s mental rolodex, the series focuses on Red’s relationship with rookie profiler Elizabeth Keen, who he wanted to work with exclusively, as well as how the FBI task force handles working with someone with Red’s history.
In addition to Spader, The Blacklist stars Megan Boone (My Bloody Valentine), Diego Klattenhoff (Homeland), Amir Arison (Zero Hour), Harry Lennix (Man of Steel), Mozhan Marno (House of Cards), and Hisham Tawfiq (Single Hills).
The Blacklist airs Thursdays at 10:00 on NBC. The network will be unveiling its plans for fall 2017 on Sunday, May 14th.
