‘The Blacklist’: How Does Megan Boone Physically Train for the Show?
The Blacklist is one of television’s most popular crime dramas, a show that has been earning serious acclaim since 2013. It is largely responsible for the resurgence of James Spader’s career and has introduced several other talented actors into the entertainment business as well.
These days, The Blacklist is still going strong — although fans are recovering from the recent exit of one of the show’s most beloved actors. Megan Boone, a mainstay in the series since 2013, recently left The Blacklist, after devoting many years of her professional life to developing the character of Elizabeth Keen.
‘The Blacklist’ is a critically-acclaimed drama series
The Blacklist debuted on television in 2013. The show tells the story of infamous high-profile criminal Raymond “Red” Reddington, played by Spader, who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI after having eluded capture for many years. Red tells the FBI that he is willing to inform on some of the world’s most dangerous criminals in exchange for immunity — but the caveat is that he is only willing to work with a rookie profiler named Elizabeth Keen.
Ever since the premiere season, The Blacklist has dominated television, earning critical acclaim and praise from fans of all ages. The show has effortlessly managed to blend crime and character study in a way that many find fascinating — and Spader, in particular, has been praised by his peers for his flawless portrayal of Red Reddington, a man who is enigmatic, hard to know, and very mysterious.
How did Megan Boone train for ‘The Blacklist’?
As important as the character of Red is to The Blacklist, so too is the character of Elizabeth Keen. Elizabeth, played by Boone, has been a part of the show since the beginning, earning acclaim for her work. Boone, who had appeared in a variety of other TV shows including Law & Order: LA, prior to her leading role in The Blacklist, worked hard to make her character a standout, training hard to make the rookie FBI profiler fully believable.
As Boone revealed to the Daily Actor in 2013, she not only prepared mentally for the role by studying the work that real-life FBI agents do on a daily basis but she began rigorous physical training as well, once she was cast. “I participate a lot physically in the show. I’ve been doing kaomagma and I’ve been doing weight training and I’m in the best physical shape of my life just to prepare to do this,” Boone revealed. “It is very vestal and it is a very physical role.”
When did Megan Boone leave ‘The Blacklist’?
For years, Boone worked hard on the set, bringing her best to bear each and every day, and becoming one of television’s fan-favorite actors in the process. However, in recent months, the actor revealed that she would be stepping away from The Blacklist, and would not be returning for the upcoming ninth season.
While Boone did not admit why she is leaving The Blacklist, the actor did say that her departure was due to “personal reasons,” and that she had no bad blood with any of the other actors or showrunners.
The character of Elizabeth Keen was last seen in The Blacklist in June 2021, and while fans are disappointed that the actor won’t be returning for the newest season, there’s no doubt that showrunners will find ways to keep viewers fully engaged in the action. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for all the latest entertainment news!
