The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›TV Character›Raymond Reddington
Entertainment • TV Character

Raymond Reddington

Raymond Reddington is a fictional character and the central figure in the American television series *The Blacklist*, which aired on NBC from 2013 to 2023.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Raymond Reddington is a fictional character and the central figure in the American television series The Blacklist, which aired on NBC from 2013 to 2023. Portrayed by James Spader, he is introduced as a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer who became a high-profile criminal and later an FBI confidential informant. The character is also known as “Red” and is one of the series’ best-known antiheroes.

Role in The Blacklist

Raymond Reddington is the main character of The Blacklist. He serves as the central figure of the series, appearing as a notorious criminal who cooperates with the FBI by supplying information on dangerous offenders.

Character background

Raymond Reddington is described as a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer who later became a high-profile fugitive and confidential informant. Some summaries also place him among the FBI's most wanted fugitives before his cooperation with the Bureau.

Portrayal and reception

James Spader portrays Raymond Reddington. The character's combination of intelligence, criminal skill, and stylized dialogue made him a prominent antihero in the series. NBC has described him as a memorable and influential part of the show's long run.

Key facts

  • Reddington is the main character of The Blacklist.
  • He is portrayed by James Spader.
  • The series ran on NBC from 2013 to 2023.
  • The character is described as a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer who later became a criminal and FBI informant.
  • He is also known by the nickname “Red.”
🍁
Canadian context

The character was part of a long-running American network series that also aired in Canada through common U.S.-TV distribution, making him familiar to Canadian viewers of crime dramas.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Raymond Reddington?
He is a fictional character in *The Blacklist* and the series’ central figure, portrayed by James Spader.
What is Raymond Reddington’s occupation?
He is depicted as a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer who becomes a criminal and later an FBI confidential informant.
What TV series is Reddington from?
He is from NBC’s *The Blacklist*, which aired from 2013 to 2023.
What is Raymond Reddington’s nickname?
He is commonly called “Red.”
Is Raymond Reddington a real person?
No. He is a fictional television character.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Reddington
    Supports: Identifies Raymond Reddington as a fictional character and central figure in *The Blacklist*; notes James Spader portrayal and background as former Naval Intelligence officer, criminal, and FBI informant.
  2. NBC — https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/who-is-red-on-the-blacklist
    Supports: Describes Red as a key character in *The Blacklist*, an FBI informant and notorious antihero central to the series.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Blacklist_characters
    Supports: Summarizes Raymond Reddington as a main character in the series and notes his status as a former U.S. Navy/ONI officer and FBI most-wanted fugitive.