NBC is eager to broaden its horizons when it comes to hit crime drama The Blacklist, with The Hollywood Reporter claiming that the network is partnering with series producers to engineer a spinoff based around Famke Janssen’s newcomer.
Janssen, known for her small screen role on How to Get Away With Murder, will play the part of Susan “Scottie” Halsted, a character set to be introduced in The Blacklist come May 5. According to THR, NBC plans to flesh out Halsted’s arc by the follow-up episode on May 12 – one that’ll be directed by Justified alum Michael Dinner – which is designed as a backdoor pilot for the Jansssen-fronted spinoff procedural.
Edi Gathegi has sealed a deal to star in NBC’s offshoot, while sources also claim that Jansssen will be introduced as mother to Ryan Eggold’s enigmatic character. Keep in mind that plans are only place for a backdoor pilot at this time, with NBC opting to hold off on committing to a series order until the planned spinoff makes its bow in a couple of months’ time.
Currently, The Blacklist has three solid seasons under its proverbial belt, during which times NBC’s series has spawned an intricate network of covert operations and world-famous criminals. Having already snagged a season 4 order, James Spader’s immediate future as Raymond “Red” Reddington is secured, but how will the network’s spinoff series fare come May?