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The Blacklist boss explains that game-changing twist

Photo credit: Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Photo credit: Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Warning: This article contains some major spoilers for The Blacklist's latest episode, season 5 episode 18's 'Zarek Mosadek', which aired in the US last night (April 11).

NBC's crime thriller The Blacklist delivered a huge bombshell in its latest episode as it appeared to finally introduce the long-lost Jennifer Reddington.

Last night's episode, 'Zarak Mosadek', saw Liz Keen (Megan Boone) decide to take down Ian Garvey – who once put her in a coma and also murdered her husband Tom, among other things – with her investigation leading her to a bar in Baltimore and a mysterious woman named Lillian.

Talking to the woman, Liz learned that Lilly had been put into witness protection by Garvey to keep her safe from her dangerous father, criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington.

Which means 'Lilly' is actually Jennifer Reddington, a character who's been a mystery to viewers since her mother, Naomi Hyland (Mary-Louise Parker), was introduced in the show's second season, as well as being Liz's half-sister.

Photo credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Photo credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the show's executive producer Joe Bokenkamp weighed in on the show's latest twist, and revealed that this is one big reveal that viewers should actually trust – for now.

"It is most likely the truth," he said of Lillian's reveal that she's Red's daughter.

"Viewers might remember that as far back as season two, we had introduced a character whose name was Jennifer Reddington and who was MIA. Reddington was looking for her. The woman's mother, Naomi Hyland, played by Mary-Louise Parker, was protecting her and wanted nothing to do with Reddington.

"Reddington had no access, no way to contact her and couldn't find her. And so there is a character out there who we know to be Reddington's daughter and this woman, it seems that her foot may fit the slipper."

Photo credit: Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Photo credit: Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

According to Bokenkamp, the twist will set up a number of new questions and mysteries to see out the rest of season five, including providing new insight into Ian Garvey's agenda, as well as introducing a new "incredibly dysfunctional" dynamic for sisters Liz and Jennifer.

"It certainly won't be normal, I'm sure of that," he added. "I'm sure it will be incredibly dysfunctional and strangely dark and full of surprises.

"We're not interested in telling the reunion story of the two sisters who are gonna get to know each other. It is gonna be one that is fraught with questions and answers, and it's gonna weirdly answer a lot of questions that we've had for quite some time.

"I think Liz is seeing Jennifer a little bit less a sister and more as an asset or a chip to play."

The Blacklist airs on NBC in the US. Sky One airs the show in the UK.


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