The Blacklist’s Tom Keen Spinoff: What Happened to The Pursuit
In 2017, NBC announced a spinoff of their popular crime drama series "The Blacklist," focusing on the character of Tom Keen, played by Ryan Eggold. The show, titled "The Pursuit," was slated to premiere in the fall of that year, following Tom’s adventures as he left the FBI and the world of espionage behind to start a new life in the United States.
For fans of the original series, the prospect of delving deeper into Tom’s backstory and exploring his moral ambiguity was exciting. After all, Tom was one of the most intriguing characters in the "Blacklist" universe, with a complex and troubled past that remained shrouded in mystery.
However, in April 2018, just a few months before the planned premiere, NBC decided to cancel "The Pursuit" indefinitely. The news sent shockwaves through the fan community, leaving many wondering what had gone wrong and what the future held for Tom Keen’s character.
In retrospect, it’s clear that several factors contributed to the show’s cancellation. Firstly, the spinoff was already facing stiff competition in its timeslot, with popular shows like "This Is Us" and "New Amsterdam" dominating the network’s schedule. Additionally, the show’s concept, while interesting, may have been seen as too similar to the original series, making it difficult to differentiate itself and attract new viewers.
Moreover, the show’s creators were still working to find the right tone and direction for "The Pursuit," with some reports suggesting that the pilot episode underwent significant changes during production. This instability and uncertainty may have led the network to question the viability of the project.
As a result of the cancellation, Tom Keen’s character was written out of "The Blacklist," with his fate left unresolved. Fans were left with more questions than answers, wondering what became of the enigmatic Tom and whether we would ever get to see him again.
Despite the cancellation, Ryan Eggold has continued to work on various projects, including his starring role in the hit medical drama "New Amsterdam." Meanwhile, "The Blacklist" has continued to thrive, with new characters and storylines introducing fresh excitement to the show.
While "The Pursuit" may be a lost opportunity, fans of the "Blacklist" universe can take comfort in knowing that Tom Keen’s legacy lives on through the original series.