NEW YORK — The NBC series “The Blacklist” is closing down.
NBC said Wednesday that the James Spader drama will end after its upcoming season, its 10th on the air. It will return for its final run of episodes on Feb. 26.
Spader has played the character Raymond Reddington, or Red, an FBI informant on old criminal colleagues. This last season, Reddington confronts “unparalleled danger” as some of those he’s identified seek revenge, NBC said.
The show’s 200th episode, a milestone in the often fleeting world of television, will air on March 19.
The final episode will air sometime this year. An NBC spokesperson said it’s not immediately clear when that will be.
The NBC show first premiered in September 2013 with the first episode drawing more than 12 million viewers. To prepare for the role, Spader shaved his head after having his “hair long for the last few projects that I had done,” he said during a press call in 2013.
“We didn’t want him to look as if he’s from any specific style or fashion of any given year or place. He’s someone who would compile his wardrobe from around the world. … We also wanted it to be timeless and difficult to place,” Spader said at the time.
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During the onset of the show, Spader said “The Blacklist” offers episodes that stand alone, but he promised, “People who stay with the show will find there’s much more satisfaction than just a straight procedural.”
The show’s fanbase mourned the news of the final season on social media.
“I’m sad I will miss #NBCTheBlacklist and #JamesSpader on my TV. but I think it was time. Hopefully, the final season goes out with a bang,” one user wrote.
Another user wrote: “Looking forward to season 10! It’s been an awesome ride, thank you James Spader for bringing Raymond Reddington to life. Gonna miss it when it’s gone though.”
The first nine seasons of the show are available to stream on Netflix.
Contributing: Elise Brisco, Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY
Story Credit: usatoday.com