Megan Boone, who has played FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen on NBC’s The Blacklist since the show began, is reportedly exiting the series after eight seasons, according to Deadline. Following Boone’s departure, James Spader, Harry Lennix, and Diego Klattenoff will be the only original cast members left standing as The Blacklist heads into Season 9 in 2021-2022, with the series having been renewed for a ninth season back in January.
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The announcement comes ahead of the final two episodes of Season 8, with the next episode airing on June 16. The Season 8 finale will air on June 23. The outlet notes that the decision was made ahead of the Season 9 renewal and that it was a mutual decision, allowing the writers to craft the character’s final arc in the show with Boone “already plotting her next move.”
The synopsis for this season’s penultimate episode reads: “When Reddington takes Liz to the mysterious epicenter of his empire, their shared past reveals itself and long-buried secrets are divulged.”
The Emmy-winning series also stars Amir Arison, Hisham Tawfiq, and Laura Sohn.
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Davis Entertainment produces The Blacklist in association with Sony Pictures Television Studios and Universal Television. The series was created by Jon Bokenkamp who serves as co-showrunner along with John Eisendrath. Spader, Eisendrath, Bokenkamp, John Davis, John Fox, Lukas Reiter, Laura A. Benson, Daniel Cerone, and Sean Hennen executive produce.
