unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
‘Best series’ has ‘the single greatest opening to a show’ and has people watching over and over again
Home>Film & TV
Published 11:55 26 Jul 2024 GMT+1

‘Best series’ has ‘the single greatest opening to a show’ and has people watching over and over again

The beloved show starred James Spader in the leading role and ran for a decade

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: NBC

Topics: Crime, Facebook, Film and TV, Amazon Prime

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

Television fanatics are reminiscing about a retired crime thriller series with one of the ‘strongest and greatest’ opening sequences ever.

Back in September 2013, fans switched on NBC to see actor James Spader stepping out as the iconic Raymond ‘Red’ Redding for the first time.

In his opening minutes, the show’s protagonist casually strolled into the FBI’s headquarters in Washington D.C.

The famed thriller ran from 2013-2023. (NBC)
The famed thriller ran from 2013-2023. (NBC)

Advert

However, upon uttering his name, he was forced to kneel on the ground as officials pointed guns at him in an intense standoff.

Viewers quickly caught on that Redding wasn’t actually a hero. Instead, they discovered he was a dangerous master criminal and had been listed as one of the FBI’s most-wanted men.

As fans continued to watch the series’ pilot episode, they learnt that Redding had travelled to the bureau to hand himself in and give information on a crime committed by a Serbian man named Ranko Zamani (Jamie Jackson).

Despite first airing over a decade ago, this jaw-dropping scene remains a fan favorite - with some going as far as to claim it as ‘one of the best ever’.

If your interest is piqued and you want to know what this show is, then let’s put you out of your misery.

The thriller is called The Blacklist and you can watch the trailer for the first season - including the wild opening scene - below:

The Blacklist initially aired on NBC from September 2013 through to May 2014 before being commissioned for a further nine seasons.

Seasons one to eight chronicle Redding swapping a life of crime to become a top FBI informant and his attempts at hunting down and capturing fugitives across the globe.

The penultimate series of The Blacklist sees the former criminal ferreting out a traitor within his organization, while the final shows Redding facing off against former Blacklisters looking for revenge.

Comprising 218 episodes and 10 seasons, The Blacklist ran for a decade and scooped up a Creative Arts Emmy Award and two Golden Globe nods during its air time.

Despite the beloved show coming to an end in July 2023, fans are still raving about it and claiming they’re currently rewatching the mammoth project.

Ten seasons of The Blacklist aired before it ended last year. (NBC)
Ten seasons of The Blacklist aired before it ended last year. (NBC)

Recently taking to Facebook to praise The Blacklist, one user typed: “Seriously, it's one of the strongest and greatest series openings ever. Anyone who’s seen this show, especially this scene, will get what I mean. It’s an epic start that pulls you into the story, the characters & especially Raymond Reddington.”

Another said: “The Blacklist is my all-time favorite show! I've rewatched every episode several times, and it still stays fresh and exciting. I'm always discovering new details that I overlooked initially. I'm really going to miss it!”

“He is everything,” gushed someone else. “A lawyer, the concierge of crime, a gangster, a mob Boss, a lover, a father and a friend. I have never watch a Movies like this in my life. 100/10.”

A fourth wrote: “Brilliant series, I’m watching it again for a third time.”

Another commented: “One of the greatest shows of all time.”

If you want to get involved then you can stream The Blacklist on Amazon Prime Video now.

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
10 hours ago
16 hours ago
18 hours ago
  • Theo Wargo/Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Tom Hardy allegedly fired from MobLand after clashing with producers

    It's reported that Hardy was 'late' to set numerous times, among other issues with producers

    Film & TV
  • Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor recalls tense moment Quentin Tarantino threatened Brad Pitt on set

    Bruce Dern described Quentin Tarantino's face as looking 'insanely grave' in the intense exchange

    Film & TV
  • Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images
    16 hours ago

    Stephen Colbert’s net worth compared to his last-night host rivals – including Jimmy Fallon

    Stephen Colbert ended his 11-year run on The Late Show last night (May 21) following the program's controversial cancellation

    Film & TV
  • Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
    18 hours ago

    Love on the Spectrum star Abbey Romeo shares update following split from David after 5 years

    The reality TV power couple confirmed they 'wanted different things' in a joint statement

    Film & TV
  • Amazon Prime Video shines light on Idaho murders as friends who discovered bodies speak out
  • Why That '70s Show star Danny Masterson is blaming his lawyer and scientology bias for rape trial conviction
  • 10 underrated horror movies you can stream free this Halloween
  • Love Is Blind's Santiago Martínez receives sentence for attempted murder of ex from show