Every Actor The Blacklist Almost Cast As Raymond Reddington Before James Spader

Just three days before shooting was due to start for the first episode of The Blacklist, James Spader said yes to the role of Raymond “Red” Reddington, the central character of the landmark crime series. It’s now hard to imagine anyone other than Spader playing the role, which during the course of The Blacklist’s 10 seasons has come to define the actor’s career. However, it wasn’t always meant to be this way, as four other actors were offered the part of criminal informer-turned-FBI informant Reddington before James Spader eventually said yes.