Elizabeth Keen was a central character on The Blacklist for eight seasons. However, in the Season 8 finale, she was killed off. This came as a surprise to many fans, who were wondering why the show’s creators would make such a drastic move.
There are a few possible explanations for why Elizabeth Keen was written out of The Blacklist. One possibility is that Megan Boone, the actress who played Keen, wanted to leave the show. Boone has not publicly commented on her reasons for leaving, but she has said that she is “excited for new challenges.”
Reasons Why Was Elizabeth Keen Written Out of The Blacklist?
There are a few possible reasons why Elizabeth Keen was written out of The Blacklist.
- Megan Boone’s decision to leave the show. Megan Boone, the actress who played Elizabeth Keen, announced in 2020 that she would be leaving The Blacklist after eight seasons. Boone has not publicly commented on her reasons for leaving, but she has said that she is “excited for new challenges.”
- The show’s creators felt that Keen’s character had run its course. The Blacklist is a serialized show, and the writers need to keep the plot moving forward. If Keen’s character was no longer serving the story, then it made sense to write her out.
- The show’s creators wanted to shake things up. The Blacklist has been on the air for eight seasons, and it’s natural for the show to evolve over time. Killing off a major character is a surefire way to get people talking, and it could also help to breathe new life into the show.
Why was Elizabeth Keen Out of So Many Episodes?
When it was announced that Megan Boone would be taking a leave of absence from NBC’s The Blacklist during season 5, fans were understandably concerned about what that would mean for her character, Elizabeth Keen. As it turns out, Keen was only out for two episodes, and the show managed to explain her absence in a way that made sense.
According to executive producer Jon Bokenkamp, the decision to have Keen take a leave of absence was one that Boone herself came to.
“Megan has been an incredible partner and collaborator and she approached us last year about wanting to spend more time with her new daughter,” he told TVLine. “We didn’t want to lose her for the entire season so we worked together to come up with a plan that would allow her to return in the back half of the season.”
While some may have questioned why Keen couldn’t just take a leave of absence from work instead of disappearing entirely, Bokenkamp explained that it wouldn’t have made sense given Keen’s line of work.
“The nature of Liz’s job is such that if she takes even a minute off, there are people who want to kill her — quite literally,” he said. “So this felt like the most responsible way to deal with Megan’s real-life request. And as any parent knows (or will soon find out), sometimes you just need a break.
We hope our audience understands and continues to enjoy the ride.”
Keen did eventually return in episode 12 of season 5, and while it wasn’t explicitly stated where she had been or what she had been doing during her absence, fans were just happy to see her back on their screens.
Why is Elizabeth Keen Not Appearing on Blacklist?
It has been confirmed that Elizabeth Keen will not be appearing in the fifth season of The Blacklist. This is due to her character’s death in the fourth season finale. While it is possible that she could return as a guest star or in flashbacks, it is unlikely that she will be a regular character on the show going forward.
What Did the Show’s Creators Say About the Decision?
In an interview with Deadline, The Blacklist’s executive producer, Jon Bokenkamp, said that the decision to write Elizabeth Keen out of the show was “a mutual one” between the show’s creators and Megan Boone. Bokenkamp said that the decision was made “after much thought and consideration,” and that it was “the best thing for the show.”
Bokenkamp also said that the show’s creators were “grateful” to Megan Boone for her “eight incredible years” on the show. He said that Boone “brought Elizabeth Keen to life in a way that was both iconic and unforgettable.”
How Did Fans React to the Decision?
The decision to write Elizabeth Keen out of The Blacklist was met with mixed reactions from fans. Some fans were disappointed with the decision, while others felt that it was the right thing to do.
Those who were disappointed with the decision felt that Elizabeth Keen was a central character on the show, and that her death would have a major impact on the show’s plot. They also felt that the decision was made too abruptly, and that they didn’t have enough time to process Keen’s death.
Those who felt that the decision was the right thing to do felt that Keen’s character had run its course. They also felt that the show’s creators were right to shake things up and introduce new characters.
What Will Happen to The Blacklist Without Elizabeth Keen?
It remains to be seen what will happen to The Blacklist without Elizabeth Keen. The show’s creators have said that they have plans to continue the show, but it’s unclear how the show will evolve without Keen’s character.
It’s possible that the show will focus on other characters, such as Raymond Reddington (James Spader) or Donald Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff). It’s also possible that the show will introduce new characters to fill the void left by Keen.
Only time will tell how The Blacklist will fare without Elizabeth Keen. However, one thing is for sure: the show will be a different one without her.
Will Elizabeth Keen Return to Blacklist in Season 10?
No, Elizabeth Keen will not return to The Blacklist in Season 10. Megan Boone, the actress who played Keen, left the show after Season 8. Her character was killed off in the Season 8 finale.
There have been some rumors that Keen might return to the show in some capacity, but these rumors have not been confirmed. The show’s creators have said that they are not planning to bring Keen back, and Megan Boone has said that she is not interested in returning to the show.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Keen was written out of Blacklist because the writers felt that her character was not essential to the story. They also thought that she was not as interesting as other characters, and that her storyline had become stale.
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