James Spader won’t have to clear out his hat closet just yet, as NBC has ordered The Blacklist season 6.
The decision came as far down to the wire as the wire can possibly go, per a Deadline report. The renewal didn’t come until right before the start of network upfronts.
The Blacklist started with a bang back in 2013, but has since taken a modest ratings dive. Still, it’s one of NBC’s better-rated dramas. In its new Wednesday timeslot The Blacklist attracted nearly 9 million viewers per episode. Even if it weren’t a solid ratings performer, however, the appeal of being the ‘James Spader network’ is a strong one.
Spader was, of course, a tertiary member of the Brat Pack back in the 80s, starring in movies such as Less Than Zero and Pretty In Pink. Then, in recent years, he has become something of a network TV superstar. He was brought onto ABC’s aging legal dramedy The Practice to liven things up. He did so so proficiently that he got an Emmy out of the deal. Then, his character was spun off onto Boston Legal, where Spader racked up more trophies.
He was also brought in to punch up The Office after Steve Carell’s departure. Plus, dude was freakin’ Ultron.
In The Blacklist, Spader stars as criminal mastermind Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington who is collaborating with the FBI to catch criminals on his ‘blacklist’ in exchange for immunity.
The Blacklist season 6 air date
NBC has not announced a Blacklist season 6 air date yet. Every season has debuted in the autumn, usually in the last week of September or first week of October, so that seems like a good bet.