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The Blacklist’s Most Unforgettable Villains Ranked: You’ll Never Guess Who’s #1

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Across its 10 seasons, The Blacklist was rich with a variety of villains, from major antagonists to one-time characters. The central theme kept Raymond Reddington (James Spader) constantly on the lookout for criminals that he and his FBI task force needed to apprehend. In each season of The Blacklist, there were individual villains, but these often linked back to larger, more menacing threats that Reddington and the task force were dealing with.

In my perspective, throughout the series of “The Blacklist,” I was primarily rooting for the dynamic duo – Reddington and Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone). They were the leading characters in the show, with antagonists being those who opposed them. Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), Elizabeth’s husband, didn’t fall into this category as he often stood by their side during his time on the series. The most formidable villains of the show were those who left a lasting impression and posed a significant danger to Reddington, Elizabeth, and the task force.

10. Wujing

Played by Chin Han

In his first appearance during season 1, episode 3, Chin Han’s character Wujing initially didn’t stand out as one of the most notable villains on “The Blacklist”, but by the end of season 9, he earned that recognition after managing to escape from prison and started plotting to join forces with other surviving Blacklisters, aiming to collaborate and bring down Reddington.

Initially portrayed as a single antagonist, Wujing transformed into the main villain during the first half of Season 10. It was through him that characters such as Dr. Laken Perillos (played by Laverne Cox), Robert Vesco (portrayed by Stacy Keach), and the Troll Farmer (Aaron Yoo) were reintroduced in the final season. Although Wujing may not have been as captivating as some of the show’s other villains on his own, his role in Season 10 earned him a place on the roster.

9. Lord Baltimore

Played by Krysten Ritter

In just one episode of The Blacklist, Krysten Ritter’s character, Lord Baltimore, stood out as one of the series’ most unforgettable antagonists. An interesting twist in this storyline was that Reddington knew the identity of the Blacklister, an information broker who had someone hired to kill him, but he remained clueless about who Lord Baltimore truly was or what they looked like. This added an extra layer of shock when it turned out that Lord Baltimore was actually Nora Mills, a character initially thought to be Rowan Mills, a victim questioned by the task force.

Nora, initially an undercover agent, suffered a traumatic event when she inadvertently took her twin sister Rowan’s life. This incident led to her developing dissociative identity disorder, transforming into the enigmatic hacker and data broker known as Lord Baltimore. Although she only appeared for a single episode, her unexpected nature set her apart from many of the formidable adversaries encountered by Reddington, Elizabeth, and the task force. Her past, marked by this heart-wrenching tragedy, made her a more pitiful adversary compared to other antagonists in the series.

8. The Osterman Umbrella Company

Played by multiple individuals

In a single episode of The Blacklist, the ominous Osterman Umbrella Company, a formidable villain group composed of global mercenaries, emerged as a persistent and transformative menace. Their mission was to eliminate government agents deemed liabilities, thus their power was bolstered by influential authorities worldwide. When they were tasked with assassinating Samar Navabi (Mozhan Marnò), who was viewed as a potential security risk due to her vascular dementia by the Mossad, it became an arduous challenge to thwart them given their global backing.

The concept of an army-for-hire group, backed by numerous governments, was equally chilling and intriguing. These formidable adversaries couldn’t be defeated easily, leaving Samar with no choice but to flee the country. The Osterman Umbrella Company served as the in-story motivation for Samar’s departure from The Blacklist, a surprising and lasting shift for the series. However, not reintroducing the Osterman Umbrella Company later felt like a missed chance, considering their wide influence.

7. Anslo Garrick

Played by Ritchie Coster

In the first season of “The Blacklist,” Anslo Garrick (portrayed by Ritchie Coster) swiftly became one of the series’ deadliest antagonists when he and his crew successfully breached the Post Office, a covert FBI task force headquarters. Garrick escalated his menace by capturing most of the team and murdering Luli Zheng (Deborah S. Craig), a security member of Reddington, in full view.

As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: I dared to strike at a covert government facility, capture FBI agents, and slay one of Reddington’s most trusted associates right before his eyes – all in pursuit of the elusive criminal overlord himself. This was the first time in the series that two episodes were required to handle a single Blacklister due to their extreme danger. With a past connection to Reddingon, hinted at throughout the episodes, added an intriguing layer to the story. In the end, I was merely a piece on a larger chessboard, but I left an indelible mark as a truly terrifying adversary.

6. Neville Townsend

Played by Reg Rogers

In the eighth season, Neville Townsend (played by Reg Rogers) stood out as a significant antagonist who left a lasting mark. As Elizabeth engaged in her conflict with Reddington during this season, she sought help from Townsend and his vast resources. Unfortunately, this alliance proved detrimental since Townsend’s erratic personality posed a threat that reached beyond just Reddingon. Rogers’ portrayal made the character of Townsend seem unnervingly unpredictable and terrifying compared to many other villains in The Blacklist series.

The Blacklist Tomatometer Score The Blacklist Popcornmeter Score
91% 79%

Townsend was an unyielding individual who refused negotiation and compromise, becoming a mutual adversary that ultimately reunited Reddington and Elizabeth, despite their growing rift. While Townsend effectively served as a plot element for much of the narrative, it was aggravating how his personal vendetta hindered the resolution of longstanding mysteries surrounding Reddington’s identity and the whereabouts of Katarina Rostova, Elizabeth’s mother. Essentially, Townsend slowed the story’s progress rather than advancing it.

5. Tom Connolly

Played by Reed Birney

Tom Connolly, portrayed by Reed Birney, served in the Department of Justice and formed a close bond with FBI Assistant Director Harold Cooper, played by Harry Lennix. One of the main characters, Connolly played a crucial role in unveiling the larger menace of the covert organization, the Cabal, which functioned as the principal antagonist during the latter half of season 2 and the opening part of season 3 on ‘The Blacklist.’ What set Connolly apart among the show’s detestable villains was his betrayal of Cooper’s trust, a man known for his likeability and integrity, in order to serve the Cabal.

It was through Connolly exploiting their long-standing friendship and the cancer diagnosis he orchestrated that Cooper was led to believe he had cancer. Later, it turned out the diagnosis was false. Despite not being as captivating as some other villains, Connolly’s underhanded actions left a lasting impression on the story, solidifying his place among the notable antagonists.

4. Tatiana Petrova

Played by Laila Robins

In the finale of season 6 of “The Blacklist,” the genuine Katarina Rostova appeared to make an appearance, portrayed by Laila Robins. However, it was disclosed later that this wasn’t Katarina, but a former KGB agent named Tatiana Petrova. Despite this revelation, she made a striking entrance by stabbing Reddington during their initial encounter, and she remained intriguing as she moved next door to Elizabeth, posing as a friendly neighbor, and later assumed the role of her mother.

This character, portrayed as a Robin, displayed a balanced and strategic demeanor that kept audiences captivated, regardless of who she truly was. The extended interaction with Elizabeth’s daughter, Agnes, further developed this character in ways not often seen among The Blacklist‘s antagonists. However, it turned out that the character wasn’t Katarina, which diminished the intrigue of her storyline and somewhat lessened the impact of some scenes previously viewed.

3. Peter Kotsiopulos

Played by David Strathairn

In essence, The Cabal, a formidable antagonist across The Blacklist, held immense power, with Peter Kotsiopulos (played by David Strathairn) serving as the leader of this hidden administration – a shadow government. Under his relentless rule, The Cabal emerged as a significant global menace, leaving their influence evident from season 1 onwards. It took several seasons to finally dismantle them.

In a nutshell, Strathairn portrayed Kotsiopulos as remarkably confident, even during tough times for the Cabal. Kotsiopulos was a key figure in maintaining the Cabal’s power behind the scenes, yet he also played a crucial role in its eventual downfall.

2. Berlin

Played by Peter Stormare

Milos Kirchoff, famously portrayed as Berlin by Peter Stormare in The Blacklist, served as the primary ongoing adversary for much of the show’s first season and half of the second. Numerous characters from the initial season and beyond were linked to Berlin, among them Elizabeth’s husband Tom. To avoid identification, he had his hand adorned with tattoos severed, and one of his associates murdered task force member Meera Malik (Parminder Nagra). In this manner, Berlin demonstrated his significant threat level and readiness to resort to extreme measures in order to safeguard himself and retaliate against Reddington.

In a significant turn of events, Berlin established a pattern for the main antagonists on “The Blacklist,” making it clear that the series would focus on prolonged narratives rather than rotating villains each week. Additionally, the revelation that Berlin’s daughter was alive after he believed she had perished at Reddington’s hands set the stage for deception being a recurring theme in “The Blacklist.” Although Berlin proved to be an imposing adversary, he ultimately failed to measure up to the show’s highest standards.

1. Mr. Kaplan

Played by Susan Blommaert

In its first season, The Blacklist shone brightest, but it wasn’t until season 4 that the most formidable villain emerged. The character of Mr. Kaplan/Kathryn Nemec (portrayed by Susan Blommaert) was a recurring figure since season 1, serving as Reddington’s trusted cleaner and confidant. However, it wasn’t until an attempt on her life in season 4 that she transitioned into an adversary. By unearthing the buried bodies she had hidden for Reddington over the years and revealing other clandestine secrets from their long-standing partnership, she managed to dismantle his criminal empire and pose a genuine threat.

The unique allure of Mr. Kaplan as a villain stemmed from the fact that it was effortless for viewers to empathize with her, possibly more so than rooting for Reddington. Since season 1, audiences had developed a connection with her, and after uncovering her background in season 4, episode 17 (“Requiem”), this bond deepened. This dual aspect made Mr. Kaplan the most captivating villain on The Blacklist. In simpler terms, Mr. Kaplan was a powerful adversary, but her motivations were relatable and understandable, which added depth to her character as a villain.

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2025-05-01 02:50

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