Is there going to be Season 9 of blacklist?

NBCs The Blackist Season 9 will foray into new territory without former FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen [Megan Boone]. Theres been plenty of speculation surrounding Boones exit from the hit series since the premise is built on her relationship with criminal informant Raymond Red Reddington [James Spader]. Her season 8 finale death sparked many discussions, but there might be a reason it had to happen.

The Blacklists Liz Keen wasnt beloved by fans

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For eight seasons, The Blacklists team of FBI agents working alongside Reddington managed to suspend belief to some extent. Though most things throughout the series arent entirely plausible, the series is one thats built and kept a steady, devoted fan base despite questionable storylines.

And, while many openly admit to watching solely for Spaders enigmatic performance, there are just as many who despise Boones character, Liz. The character, who Boones played since the series inception, began as a new Quantico graduate embarking on her first day as an FBI profiler. Her day inevitably goes off the rails when Spaders Reddington turns himself in and demands he only speak to who else Liz.

Criticism over the characters choices has largely interfered with the bigger stories at hand. Liz Keen faked her death once before only to have writers resurrect her with her new daughter Agnes. Love her or hate her, the trickery didnt sit well with the fan base which is why some are hesitant to accept Lizs fate moving into season 9.

Why Liz Keen had to die ahead of season 9

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Boone announced her departure from the series just before the season 8 finale Konets aired, spoiling what couldve been an explosive ending with Lizs so-called death. Since the episode aired, many have theorized the character isnt dead, and either Boone returns in some capacity [like if she already filmed some segments], or shes re-cast with some other strange storyline.

If she is actually dead, it could be a part of a bigger plan. A few seasons back, little kernels alluding to Reddingtons mystery illness began to surface. At times, storylines full-on revolved around Red fainting or taking medication, but others, its nearly forgotten.

That said, Lizs death could be a way for writers to heal Reddington moving into season 9.

Actually, Red getting an organ donation from Liz would be just the kind of thing that they might do to cure him, one fan wrote on Reddit.

With heart transplantation or whatever cure he finds. Red was ill because the plot needed it. Now the mythology is gone, and the new plot needs healthy Red, another said.

Can The Blacklist Season 9 survive without Boone?

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When the star of a show leaves, its normal to wonder what may come in their absence. Sometimes, its a necessary loss for a series to move on, and this could be the case with The Blacklist. For years, creator Jon Bokenkamp built Reddington and Lizs connection around mythology and answers weve not yet gotten.

Bokenkamp announced his exit after Boone while fans continued digesting that season 8 finale that seemed to leave a lot on the table. In just over a month, The Blacklist will premiere on a new night, and well hopefully have all the answers weve been obsessing over for months. One things for sure we need a retcon of Reds terminal diagnosis STAT.

The Blacklist premieres Thursday, Oct. 21 on NBC.