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‘The Blacklist’ Creator Jon Bokenkamp Exits NBC Series After 8 Seasons

Another day, another Blacklist bombshell. Hours after the series bid farewell to its leading lady, Megan Boone, in the Season 8 finale, The Blacklist creator/executive producer Jon Bokenkamp announced that he too will be leaving the long-running series starring James Spader. Like with Boone’s exit, Bokenkamp’s departure had been in the works for awhile.

<img class=" wp-image-1234780601" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?w=1000&quot; alt=" - Credit: Will Hart/NBC" width="334" height="223" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg 1000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=60,40 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=352,235 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=110,73 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=285,190 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=320,213 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NUP_194355_0691.jpg?resize=800,534 800w" sizes="(max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px" />Will Hart/NBC

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In a lengthy note to fans on Twitter, Bokenkamp explained his decision, saying that he felt “it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone, try something new, and explore some of the other characters and stories that have been crawling around in my head.”

Bokenkamp’s longtime partner on the show, fellow Blacklist executive producer John Eisendrath, who has served as co-showrunner alongside Bokenkamp from the start, is staying on as sole showrunner, sources said. The two most recently co-wrote together the Season 8 finale.

Unlike most successful showrunners, Bokenkamp is not based in Los Angeles or New York; he continues to reside with his family in his native town of Kearney, Nebraska.

The Blacklist, from Sony Pictures Television, was renewed for Season 9 in January. Bokenkamp was upbeat about the show’s future.

“I genuinely believe the series remains full of life, creatively strong, and that bright days lie ahead,” he said.

Last night, Bokenkamp took to Twitter to pay tribute to Boone following her exit.

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