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The Blacklistran for ten seasons and became a vehicle for actor James Spader to put forth his brilliantly oddball energy and channelizing it in the eccentricities of Raymond “Red” Reddington.
Spader undeniably became the glue that held the series together, especially in its later seasons. However, one habit of the actor proved to be quite a headache even for the show’s creative team.
Jon Bokenkamp created the series for NBC and Spader was later cast in the lead role. However, Bokenkamp revealed in an interview that Spader’s obsessive-compulsive issues meant that the actor was hyper-fixated on every little detail. Here is what Bokenkamp had to say about Spader’s annoying habit onThe Blacklistand what the actor had to say about it.
The Blacklistcreator revealed James Spader’s annoying habit he kept repeating
When creator Jon Bokenkamp was developingThe Blacklist, his first choice for the role ranged between the likes ofBreaking Badstar Bryan Cranston and24star Kiefer Sutherland. Bokenkamp toldVarietythat whenJames Spaderwas eventually cast as the enigmatic Raymond “Red” Reddington, he only met the actor on the first day of production.
As a result, the creator can be forgiven for not being aware ofSpader’s obsessive-compulsive issues, which the actor himself admitted during an interview withRolling Stone. Bokenkamp was asked about the same and admitted that Spader was hyper-focused on the show’s details.
This stuff keeps him up at night. He can dig his heels in. The conversations can be frustrating.
Bokenkamp made the above statement revealing that he quickly learned about Spader’s obsessive compulsive issues while working on the series.
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As a result, Bokenkamp revealed that he had to spend hours talking to Spader on the phone, discussing every little detail regarding the show’s creative direction as it made the lead star restlesss. Hence, Spader’s habit of fixating on detials certianly proved to be annoying for Bokenkamp during their time on the show.
James Spader explained why he obsessed over the details ofThe Blacklist
During the same interview, Spader also touched upon his OCD, which made him reliant on a schedule and fixated on details. However, despite admitting thathe only agreed to star inThe Blacklistfor the paycheck, Spader was extremely involved with the show’s creative process.
Because I have to perform it.
Like his character in the series, Spader bluntly made the above comment, explaining why he wanted to ensure the series got every detail right.
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Spader’s hyper fixation on detailing meant that the series greatly benefitted from his terrific performance as there is noThe Blacklistwithout Red. However, as Spader revealed in the interview, scripts had to be sometimes rewritten and schedules juggled to incorporate his concerns. Hence, Spader’s habit only must have added to the creative team and Bokenkamp’s frustrations.
The Blacklistis streaming on Netflix.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1772
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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James Spader
