The Blacklist Timeline ( Real )

show_premiere
September 23, 2013

Series Premiere

The Blacklist premieres on NBC, introducing audiences to Reddington and Elizabeth Keen.

season_premiere
October 4, 2019

Season 7 Premiere

Season 7 of The Blacklist debuts on NBC.

season_premiere
November 13, 2020

Season 8 Premiere

The Blacklist Season 8 premieres continuing the story unique to the series.

season_premiere
October 21, 2021

Season 9 Premiere

Season 9 of The Blacklist begins airing on NBC.

season_premiere
February 26, 2023

Season 10 Premiere

The Blacklist Season 10 debuts, continuing the show's longevity.

The Blacklist Timeline ( Fictional )

background
1970s-1990s

Raymond 'Red' Reddington's Early Criminal Career

Reddington rises in the criminal underworld, becoming a notorious international criminal and master manipulator.

background
Early 2000s

Elizabeth Keen Joins FBI

Elizabeth Keen begins her career in the FBI as a profiler, unaware of her future entanglements with Reddington.

major_event
Day 1

Reddington Turns Himself In

Raymond Reddington mysteriously surrenders to the FBI and offers to help catch dangerous criminals under the condition Elizabeth Keen is on the task force.

organizational
Day 3

Formation of the Blacklist Task Force

The FBI assembles a special task force led by Elizabeth Keen to work with Reddington to capture high-profile criminals from his blacklist.

character_development
Month 6

Revelation of Elizabeth Keen's Mysterious Past

Secrets about Liz's past and her connection to Reddington begin to surface, complicating the task force's work.

major_event
Year 5, Month 4

Death of Elizabeth Keen

Elizabeth Keen is killed, significantly altering the course of Reddington's life and the direction of the task force.

organizational
Year 5, Month 6

Introduction of New Task Force Members

New agents join the task force to replace those lost and to continue operations with Reddington's guidance.

major_reveal
Year 6, Month 1

Revelation about Reddington's True Identity

Key details emerge suggesting Reddington may not be who he claims, bringing new questions and tensions to light.