Not Even The Blacklist's Writers Can Agree About A Liz And Ressler Romance

The Blacklist Elizabeth Liz Keen Megan Boone Donald Ressler Diego Klattenhoff NBC

(Image credit: Virginia Sherwood / NBC)

The Blacklist’s writers cannot even agree about a Liz and Ressler romance. The crime drama has been hinting at a potential pairing between the duo, since Season 1. However, Liz remained with her on-again/off-again husband, Tom. His tragic murder in Season 5, left Liz a widow and a single mom to their daughter, Agnes.

Since then, Liz went on the warpath to avenge her husband, only to go against Red after learning he is an imposter. It has left Elizabeth Keen with limited time for romance on The Blacklist. However, Season 6 seemed to hint that Liz may find love with her long-time partner, Donald Ressler.

The pair’s scenes in one explosive episode led many to wonder if The Blacklist was going there. Soon after, series creator, Jon Bokenkamp, weighed in on Liz and Ressler’s scenes and what was going on between them. Heading into Season 7, Liz and Ressler’s romantic future is still a significant question mark among the writers. Bokenkamp told TVLine:

We’re evenly split in the writers’ room. Is there room for that to expand and change? Yes. Will it? I’m not sure.

It sounds like half of the writers are for a Liz/Ressler romance, while the other half is not. The good news for shippers of the pairing is that The Blacklist’s creator is not ruling out the possibility of their stance changing. That said, he also acknowledges it may not. Well, there should be a lot for Liz and Ressler to bond over in Season 7.

Between Red’s kidnapping and the probable search that will ensue, it should put the duo in tight quarters. Their joint caseload tends to do that just fine. Liz and Ressler’s romantic future is still open to any number of possibilities. Thankfully, The Blacklist is taking its time deciding what to do. You can never rush a good romance!

The foundation has certainly been set for a robust romantic pairing. Remember, The Blacklist seemed to allude to Liz/Ressler’s potential earlier in the series’ run. While the show stayed with Liz and Tom’s chemistry-filled relationship, it hinted at other endgames early on. This was thanks, in large part, to the supportive foreshadowing of a key character.

Red has let it be known that he is a fan of Donald. Was he saying that because he despised Tom? It is tough to say. I would like to think that Ressler earned Red’s respect independent of that. Could Red's support of Donald hint that Ressler and Liz are endgame?

Ressler was looking for love last season on The Blacklist, only to have Liz’s need for help upend his then-relationship. Liz has not shown any direct interest in anyone since Tom’s death. Although, she seemed to enjoy her flirtation with Ressler last season.

Was it just two friends having fun? It is tough to know with these two.

There are a lot of questions that The Blacklist often brings up, and their future joins the list. As a fan who has enjoyed Ressler and Liz’s friendship, I could see it blossoming into a sound romance. Liz and Ressler continuing their relationship indefinitely, as it currently stands, is also fine by me. You can take sides in the poll below!

Find out if a Liz and Ressler romance happens when The Blacklist returns this fall. Season 7 premieres on Friday, October 4 on NBC. New episodes will air Fridays at 8 p.m. ET. You can watch the early days of Liz and Ressler’s relationship via previous seasons of The Blacklist on Netflix, along with lots of new content.

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Britt Lawrence

Like a contented Hallmark movie character, Britt happily lives in the same city she grew up in. Along with movies and television, she is passionate about competitive figure skating. She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began.