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The Blacklist Season 9 returned to the mystery surrounding Raymond “Red” Reddington’s true identity. Some fans believe that the episode “Konets,” told them everything they needed to know. Others believe the jury is still out on Red’s identity. Besides Red himself, there is a list of characters dead and alive who may have known the truth (or part of the truth.) Still, some fans believe that only Red holds the true answers.

Who knows Red's identity in The Blacklist Season 9? James Spader as Red wears a hat, suit and tie, and sunglasses and stands outside.
James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in ‘The Blacklist’ | Scott Gries/NBC

Who is Raymond Reddington?

Red’s identity is a complicated question. Liz Keen is clearly very important to Red. This has led many fans to believe that Red is actually Liz’s mother Katarina Rostova, who underwent massive facial reconstruction surgery. In some ways, “Konets” appeared to confirm this theory. The episode showed a clip of Katarina holding Liz during a montage when Liz was dying.

However, plenty of fans are not convinced by the “Redarina” theory. Some believe that such a drastic physical transformation would not have been possible, especially without anyone noticing scars or other signs. Is there anyone in The Blacklist Season 9 who knows the truth?

How many people in ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 know Red’s identity?

A fan on Reddit composed a master list of people who know “The Truth” about Red. Of those characters, only Red himself and Dembe are still alive. Other characters include Mr. Kaplan, Sam Milhoan, Diane Fowler, Peter “The Director” Kotsiopolous, Alan Fitch, Sutton Ross, Ian Garvey, Tatiana Petrova, and possibly Alexander Kirk.

Other fans debated many of the characters on this list’s knowledge. “I think this list is not right. I think that Fowler, the Director, Fitch, Garvey, Ross didn’t know who Reddington is. And you missed Ilya, Ivan, Renard, Koehler,” a fan wrote.

In The Blacklist Season 9, Red made a shocking discovery that led him to believe Liz knew the truth about his identity before she died. He tested the letter explaining who he is for her fingerprints and it came back a match. It also seems like Agnes could even know the truth. In episode 6 she tells Red she knows he was Russian and that her mother said he was the most important person in her life.

Liz Keen died prior to The Blacklist Season 9. Red and Liz sit on a park bench and hold hands.
James Spader as Red and Megan Boone as Liz in ‘The Blacklist’ | Scott Gries/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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Still, some fans believe that there is only one person who definitely knows the truth. “Regardless of what you call ‘the truth’, there’s only one person who we’re sure knows the truth, and that’s the character played by James Spader, whoever that character is, in the world of TBL,” a fan wrote on Reddit.

When does ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 return?

The Blacklist Season 9 is currently on break for the holidays. The most recent episode aired on Dec. 9, 2021. The show will return on Jan. 6, 2022, with the episode “Between Sleep & Awake.” It’s not clear yet if the new season will give a more definitive answer about Red’s identity. Still, his discovery of Liz’s fingerprints on the letter will likely be a big part of the rest of the season.

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