NBC Picks Up “The Blacklist” for A Full Season; Best Testing Series in More Than 10 Years; James Spader Will Spill More Secrets

NBC Picks Up "The Blacklist" for A Full Season; Best Testing Series in More Than 10 Years; James Spader Will Spill More Secrets

"The Blacklist" passed all its tests. The NBC drama was renewed for a full season.

The Blackslist's James Spader will spill more secrets to his handler as he does his best Hannibal Lecter impression.

NBC picked up a full season of "The Blacklist" on news that it was the network's highest-testing show in a decade. NBC put in an order for the back-nine episodes of the spy drama for a first season run of 22 episodes.

NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke said, "The many layers of Red Reddington and his mysterious reasons for getting into bed with the FBI seem to be fascinating to fans of this show. With great talent like James Spader and Megan Boone on board, as well our stellar executive producers and the whole cast and crew, we believe this outstanding series will continue to make NBC a big destination on Monday nights."

Twelve million people tuned in to "The Blacklist" for the first two shows. It is the number one drama in its time slot against Hostages on CBS and Castle on ABC.

On "The Blacklist", James Spader plays Red Reddington, one of the best known names on the FBI's most-wanted list. He surrenders to FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Keen, played by Megan Boone and helps her solve crimes that benefit him. Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix, Ryan Eggold and Parminder Nagra are also featured.

"The Blacklist" is NBC's first full-season pickup of the season.