Raymond “Red” Reddington is the main protagonist of the NBC crime thriller series ‘The Blacklist’.
He is a former U.S. Navy officer and Naval Academy graduate, becomes infamous as “the concierge of crime.”
Once on a promising track in counterintelligence, his career derails amidst accusations of treason for allegedly leaking secrets to the Soviet Union.
He is known for orchestrating deals among criminals, Reddington lands on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.
He turns himself into the FBI to reveal a hidden network of elusive criminals, known as “the blacklist,” while also pursuing a personal vendetta against a mysterious adversary named Berlin.
His moral compass is ambiguous, endorsing dubious methods for what he considers “the greater good.”
Below you will find some famous quotes from Raymond Reddington.
Top 10 Raymond Reddington Quotes
I always found fear to be my most valuable sense. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Value loyalty above all else. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Regret requires age or wisdom. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Dead? Pishposh. What’s death? It’s just a process, right? ~ Raymond Reddington.
A man’s greatest enemy is the dark forces pent up within himself. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Time is the only thing that will allow you to find yourself again. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about. ~ Raymond Reddington.
You can’t possibly fathom how deep that well of mine truly goes. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I have no interest in cases that I have no interest in. ~ Raymond Reddington.
God can’t protect you, but I can. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Best Raymond Reddington Quotes
Leadership is more than showing strength. It’s also about knowing when to show restraint. ~ Raymond Reddington.
When you love someone, you have no control. That’s what love is. Being powerless. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Leave the past in the past, Tom. Nothing good comes from digging up secrets. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I have found in my experience people rarely change. And when they do, they’re not to be trusted. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Most of my associates are under the impression that once I’ve granted them a favor, they’re indebted to me for life. But it’s a false assumption. They’re indebted to me because I make them a lot of money. They’re loyal to me because I’ve earned it. ~ Raymond Reddington.
With survival, they became hideous. I’ve rarely thought about what I once was. But I wonder if a ray of light were to make it into the cave, would I be able to see it? Or feel it? Would I gravitate to its warmth? And if I did, would I become less hideous? ~ Raymond Reddington.
Revenge isn’t a passion. It’s a disease that eats at your mind and poisons your soul. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I’m a criminal. Criminals are notorious liars. Everything about me is a lie. But, if anyone will give me a second chance, it’s you. The two of us have overcome so much. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I had bullets. He had words. But when he was done talking for the first time, I truly understood which of those was more powerful. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Sins should be buried like the dead. Not that they may be forgotten, but we may remember them and find our way forward nonetheless. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Famous Raymond Reddington Quotes
So many people find cemeteries to be a reminder of loss. I find them to be a fervent reminder to seize the day. ~ Raymond Reddington.
As bad as you think I am, as far as you think I’m willing to go to protect that which I hold dear. ~ Raymond Reddington.
The only thing that is real is the present, and you’ve plundered it, robbed it of the very geniuses that might have averted the dystopia you so fear. ~ Raymond Reddington.
You see that, Geoff? That is what a good man does. That is what separates men like him from men like you and me. ~ Raymond Reddington.
The world can be such an unsparingly savage place. One can be forgiven for believing that evil will triumph in the end. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Is it just me, or is the human race armed with religion, poisoned by prejudice, and absolutely frantic with hatred and fear, galloping pell-mell back to the Dark Ages? Who on Earth is hurt by a little girl going to school or a child being gay? ~ Raymond Reddington.
Inviting him for a chat with one of your most wanted criminals would be ludicrous. You’ll need to abduct him. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Once you cross over, there are things in the darkness that can keep your heart from feeling the light again. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Powerful Raymond Reddington Quotes
Lawyers find and exploit loopholes. It’s what makes them so loathsome. And Marvin Gerard is the most loathsome of them all. That’s what makes him so invaluable. ~ Raymond Reddington.
As a rule, I consider jealousy to be a base emotion, but in this case, it’s quite endearing. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Every cause has more than one effect. ~ Raymond Reddington.
In this world, there are no sides. Only players. ~ Raymond Reddington.
What if I were to tell you that all the things you come to believe about yourself are a lie? ~ Raymond Reddington.
Make sure your passion isn’t your sickness. ~ Raymond Reddington.
The future is a sucker’s bet, a maybe, a contingency, a ‘What if?’ ~ Raymond Reddington.
This is an end, and then, something new will begin. You deserve the best in life, Lizzie. ~ Raymond Reddington.
As you well know, one of the keys to my success is a clear and consistent understanding of my own limitations. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Great Raymond Reddington Quotes
Meera was a casualty in a war that she didn’t even know she was fighting. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I can only lead you to the truth. I can’t make you believe it. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean accepting what you’ve done, Donald. It means understanding that the line dividing good and evil cuts through the hearts of all of us. ~ Raymond Reddington.
As a rule, I consider jealousy to be the base of emotion, but in this case, it’s quite endearing. ~ Raymond Reddington.
There will be nightmares. And every day, when you wake up, it will be the first thing you think about. Until one day, it will be the second thing. ~ Raymond Reddington.
You can’t judge a book by its cover. But you can by its first few chapters, and certainly, by its last. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I could tell you how to win a marathon, but you’re assuming it’s a 26.6-mile race. ~ Raymond Reddington.
Memorable Raymond Reddington Quotes
Let me put your mind at ease, I am never telling you anything. ~ Raymond Reddington.
I’m not a gumball machine, Lizzy. You don’t get to just twist the handle whenever you want a treat. ~ Raymond Reddington.
You have to make your choices. You have to be happy with them. ~ Raymond Reddington.
There is nothing that can take the pain away, but eventually, you will find a way to live with it. ~ Raymond Reddington.
You know the problem with drawing lines in the sand? With a breath of air, they disappear. ~ Raymond Reddington.
So often people overestimate themselves, misapply their gifts. Wisdom is learning the boundaries of one’s designated lane. ~ Raymond Reddington.
So these were the 55 quotes by Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist.
Also read: Nick Miller Quotes for the Fans of & New Girl’ and Charlie Brown Quotes on Positivity from Peanuts Comic.
Short Biography of Raymond Reddington
Raymond Reddington is a complex character with a brilliant mind and a dark side shaped by trauma, leading to developed sociopathic tendencies.
Despite this, he’s not without morals, operating by his own code which often conflicts with societal norms.
| Full Name | Raymond “Red” Reddington |
| Nickname | The Concierge of Crime |
| Portrayed by | James Spader |
| TV show | The Blacklist |
| Height | 5 foot 10 inch |
| Weight | 190 pound |
| Hair | Brown |
| Eyes | Green |
His life took a drastic turn after the tragic murder of his family, pushing him into the criminal world.
Reddington is fiercely protective, especially towards Elizabeth Keen, showing a softer side to those he cares about.
Known for his meticulous style, Reddington, who stands at 5’10” with a medium build, is always impeccably dressed, favoring tailored suits and fedoras.
Short Biography of James Spader
James Todd Spader, born in 1960, is an American actor renowned for playing quirky and morally complex characters.
He began his career in indie films, moving to television where he won three Primetime Emmy Awards among other accolades.
| Full Name | James Todd Spader |
| Born | February 7, 1960 (age 64) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Victoria Kheel (m. 1987; div. 2004) |
| Partner | Leslie Stefanson (2002–present) |
| Children | 3 |
Spader’s notable film roles include “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” which won him a Cannes Best Actor award, and others like “Stargate” and “Secretary.”
He’s also voiced Ultron in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” On TV, he’s known for “The Practice,” “Boston Legal,” winning him three Emmys, “The Office,” and “The Blacklist.”
Raised in a liberal, education-focused family in Boston, Spader dropped out of school to pursue acting in New York, taking various jobs to support himself.
Quick Facts about Raymond Reddington
- Raymond “Red” Reddington is a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal.
- He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and worked in counterintelligence.
- Reddington is accused of leaking secrets to the Soviet Union, resulting in American deaths.
- He’s known as “the concierge of crime” for brokering deals between criminals.
- Red surrenders to the FBI to provide information on a list of elusive criminals called “the blacklist.”
- His ethical boundaries are blurred, often using criminal means for what he deems “the greater good.”
- Red’s cooperation with the FBI is part of a secret agenda to find his nemesis, Berlin.
- He has a mysterious connection to Elizabeth Keen and knows deep secrets about her past.
- Red goes to great lengths to protect Elizabeth, even altering her memories.
- Elizabeth’s parents’ history is complex, involving Red and her mother Katarina Rostova.
- Red is confirmed as Elizabeth’s father, a fact he later acknowledges.
- He was previously married to Naomi Hyland and has a daughter named Jennifer.
- Red faces threats from the Cabal and seeks the Fulcrum to leverage against them.
- Using the Fulcrum’s information, he saves Elizabeth from being framed by the Cabal.
- After a series of betrayals and conflicts, Red continues to protect Elizabeth and the task force.
- He suffers a personal loss with Elizabeth’s death but finds solace in a spiritual journey.
- Red reveals his paternity to Elizabeth in a critical moment, altering their relationship.
- He secures a presidential pardon for Elizabeth, clearing her of a major crime.
- Red is poisoned and seeks the FBI’s help to find the culprit, revealing vulnerabilities in his network.
- His right-hand man, Dembe, temporarily leaves to uncover a traitor within their ranks.
- Red confronts his former ally Mr. Kaplan, who threatens to expose his criminal empire.
- Kaplan’s revenge plan causes turmoil, forcing Red to deal with internal and external threats.
- The mystery of Red’s true identity deepens with claims he’s an imposter named Ilya Koslov.
- Doubts about Red’s identity are fueled by conflicting stories about his past and connections.
- The real story behind the imposter Reddington involves a complex plot to protect Elizabeth.
- Reddington’s empire is built on secrets, betrayals, and a quest to safeguard Elizabeth.
- His terminal illness prompts a dramatic plan involving Elizabeth taking over his empire.
- In the wake of Elizabeth’s death, Red continues to navigate threats and maintain his influence.
- New revelations about Red’s identity and past actions surface, keeping his true motives obscured.
- Red’s journey is marked by his commitment to protect those close to him, despite his own criminal activities.
Top Questions about Raymond Reddington
A: Reddington was accused of committing treason by leaking information to the Soviet Union, resulting in the death of several American naval officers.
A: He is known for brokering deals between criminals, hence the nickname.
A: He surrenders to provide information on dangerous criminals known as “the blacklist,” which the FBI was unaware of, and to pursue his own secret agenda.
A: He knows personal secrets about her past, including details about a fire she was trapped in as a child.
A: The Fulcrum is a blackmail file that Reddington used to force a stalemate with the Cabal.
A: He seeks the FBI’s help to find Asa Hightower, the man who poisoned him.
A: Kaplan reveals that she has been hiding Liz from Reddington to protect her.
A: It is confirmed that Reddington is Liz’s biological father.
A: He meets with the president-elect, whom he had supported, to secure a pardon for Liz’s killing of Tom Connolly.
A: It is revealed that Reddington is terminally ill and plans to have Liz kill him as part of his final plan.
