Suspense, drama, action, and great storytelling all combine to describe the hit NBC show The Blacklist. Each character on the series has their own unique backstory which adds a certain dimension to a show that could easily be lost in the trenches with the other prime-time dramas. Each episode, fans are left wondering if the truth regarding Raymond Reddington and Elizabeth Keen will be revealed.
While each week offers a different "blacklister," the writers have never strayed away from their original plot. For loyal viewers of The Blacklist, it all comes down to which characters you have invested your time in over the years. Which stories do you believe and when the dust settles, and will your favorite character be the one left standing?
Ressler
Ressler could very well be a well-liked character if he could just be honest with everyone— including himself. Ressler comes across as a by-the-book agent, when in fact he's anything but that. He has his demons but yet he walks around as if he's clean as a whistle.
His feelings for Liz are noticeable but he has not made a move. Known as one to hold secrets, he's quick to point out everyone's faults but keeps his hidden in a cave somewhere.
Samar
Samar entered the FBI on the coattails of Raymond Reddington. From there, their friendship and bond were shattered as Samar often went against Reddington. Samar is not a bad character but the toying she did with Aram early on had fans wondering if they would ever get together.
Samar is tough, straight to the point, and determined to make things right. She had earned the respect of the viewers but lost some of it when she walked out on Aram. She may have done it for good reasons, but it was still seen as a betrayal to loyal fans of The Blacklist.
Katarina
Katarina Rostova is the villain that viewers have been waiting for. Although not listed as an official blacklister, Katrina is the main threat to bringing it all down. Katarina, thought to be dead, has managed to escape the clutches of the Russians, Reddington, and just about everyone else on her trail. She's ruthless and has proven she will do whatever it takes to get her way.
Her likability is still swinging back and forth as she has had to play the hand she was dealt. Whether she loves Liz has yet to be determined, but her torture of Reddington and Ilya Koslov places her on the side of unlikable.
Liz
Liz started out as a character that was easy to read. She was green and after being summoned by Reddington, viewers wanted to know more. What they found out is that Liz, while smart, can be easily manipulated. From Tom to Reddington and now her mother, it's hard for Liz to make a sound decision on her own.
Nevertheless, Liz is a character that many loved until she set Reddington up and almost had him executed. She apologized but then crossed him yet again when it came down to a decision between Red and Katarina, which further hurt her likability.
Tom
Tom began his role on The Blacklist keeping tons of secrets from his wife Liz. Viewers hated Tom from the start but as the truth started to come out, they understood why he did what he did. Tom was calculating, but it always felt as if someone else was actually pulling the strings and he was just the puppet.
His sacrifice for Liz did solidify him as a likable character despite his two-sided ways. Tom was dealing with issues viewers didn't fully understand until they came to light in The Blacklist: Redemption.
Harold
Harold Cooper is the leader of the Task Force and that alone places a heavy burden on his shoulders. It's one thing to have the lives of others in your hands but to top that with looking after Raymond Reddington would drive anyone insane. Cooper, normally a straight shooter, has had to get his hands dirty a few times in order to protect his team.
Cooper is far from clean-cut as his past has risen a few times. But if you're in need of a great leader, he's the best on The Blacklist. He will do whatever it takes for his team.
Aram
Aram is viewed as the geek of the Task Force but he offers more than that. He's the voice of reason locked in a cage of people who use force to get their way. The one setback with Aram is he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's all about his feelings and not afraid to share his concerns either.
But still, Aram is the one person any one of the other officers would love to have on their side in a tight situation. Not as skilled with a weapon or hand-to-hand combat, Aram used his brains more than the others.
Reddington
Why is Raymond Reddington not mentioned as the most likable character on The Blacklist? Well, the answer to this is simple: He just can't be trusted. While viewers will throw shade at Elizabeth Keen for her treatment of Red, it is important to remember that Red is the one withholding the info she's been seeking for seven seasons.
Red is still a criminal and one of the worst kinds, using people to get what he wants. But it's the way that he does business that makes viewers fall in love with him. Red is likable because he has never changed over the years.
Dembe
If you looked up loyalty in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Dembe. What has kept him and Raymond sane has been Dembe's religious beliefs, and their bond is as tight as any bond can be in their line of business. What makes Dembe one of the most likable characters on The Blacklist is his ability to place everyone's safety, beliefs, and life before his.
He's soft-spoken but menacing at the same time. Dembe will die for what he believes and will give his life for those he love. He's willing to die to protect Red's secrets, and that kind of loyalty is likable.
Mr. Kaplan
Mr. Kaplan is the nanny that everyone needs in their life, holding the key to everyone's secrets but not giving any of them up. Her loyalty to Red was believed to be out of a friendship built over the years, when in fact, her allegiance lied with Katrina and Liz. Mr. Kaplan may have crossed Red, but it was in the best interest of Liz.
Easily one of the best characters to ever make an appearance on The Blacklist, Kaplan met a tragic demise when Red felt betrayed and shot her. But her revenge was well worth the price of admission.