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Actor James Spader gained critical acclaim for his role as Raymond “Red” Reddington in the NBC crime-drama seriesThe Blacklist. In the series, Spader played an eccentric former criminal turned FBI informant. The character’s idiosyncracies and eccentricities are a part of his charm and make the series appealing as a whole.
During an interview, Spader talked about how he crafted the character of Red. He revealed that the mental disorder that affected his personality was tied to his portrayal of the eccentric criminal. As a result, it is no surprise that the character is so irreverent and memorable. Here is how James Spader’s disorder helped him in his role inThe Blackist.
James Spader used his OCD to play Red inThe Blacklist
The Blacklistran for ten seasons withJames Spaderplaying Raymond “Red” Reddington throughout its entirety. Spader played an eccentric character who is equal parts dangerous and mysterious. During an interview withRolling Stone, Spader revealed how prepared to portray the complex role.
Spader admitted that he has very strong obsessive-compulsive issues. As a result, he relied upon a routine to keep himself going and remained very particular about certain things. He said:
It’s very hard for me, you know? It makes you very addictive in behavior, because routine and ritual become entrenched.
Spader added that his OCD made his personal difficult but was of immense help during his professional work, especially when playing characters like Red.
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The actor revealed that his OCD makes him obsessive and fixated on details, which is one similarity he shares with his character. Moreover, the intense oddball energy Spader channelizes for the role andhis alleged eidetic memorylikely also stems from this disorder.
James Spader’s OCD led to one habit the actor found hard to forego onBoston Legal
While Spader showcased his acting prowess withThe Blacklist, the actor became a household name with his stint onBoston Legal. In the spin-off series, Spader played lawyer Alan Shore and won multiple Emmys for his performance.
However, Spader’s co-star in the series William Shatner revealed that Spader’s OCD led toone disgusting habit the actor simply could not quitwhile working on the acclaimed drama. Shatner stated that Spader couldn’t watch people eating on set.
Our craft-service table was located near the stage entrance, so he had to avoid walking by and watching people licking their fingers or spreading butter on a bagel.
Shatner made the above statement about Spader’s problem with watching people eat on set and admitted to poking fun at his co-star for the same.
“The bills are going to be paid…”: The Blacklist Star James Spader Revealed His Shameless Habit That Makes Him Prefer TV Shows Over Movies
Ultimately, it is clear that Spader’s obsessive-compulsive issues are a phenomenal asset that bolsters his acting performances. However, the disorder also leads to some issues in the actor’s personal life and balances things out hopefully in a good way.
The Blacklistis streaming on Netflix.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1771
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
