Why did Liz (Megan Boone) leave The Blacklist? (exit explained)

Haven't you heard? The Blacklist season 10 is finally streaming on Netflix! This is the final season of the beloved crime drama, and in it, we watch how everything wraps up for the criminal mastermind, Red. With the last season dropping on Netflix, it's brought a lot of new and old viewers to the streaming platform. While some people are watching the series for the first time, others are rewatching to see all the best moments.

Since there are so many new viewers, we're starting to see many questions buzzing around the internet about the show. One question in particular that we're seeing pop up a lot concerns a main cast member's exit. People are wondering why Megan Boone, who played Elizabeth "Liz" Keen, left the series. No worries! We shared all that we know about her departure below.

Liz played an integral part in The Blacklist, so it was shocking to see her story come to an end. She was a talented FBI profiler on Harold Cooper's task force with whom Red had a particular interest in. We find out later in the series what their connection is, and it was surprising, to say the least.

Unfortunately, Liz meets her end in The Blacklist season 8 episode 22 titled “Konets.” This was the season 8 finale. Before Liz dies, Red asks Liz to kill him because he's terminally ill, but Liz hesitates to do so when the time actually comes. It's within her hesitation that one of Neville's hitmen shoots her in the back ultimately killing her. As she bleeds out, Red holds her in his arms. This is how The Blacklist chose to end Liz's story.

So, what's the story behind this character's death? In other words, why was Liz killed off? Was it because Megan Boone wanted to leave the show, or was it because the creative team wanted to change the story direction? Well, it was because of Boone wanting to exit the series.

Back in June 2021, it was reported that Megan Boone would be leaving The Blacklist after eight seasons. Her decision to depart the show was reportedly made early on, even before the ninth season's renewal. This made it easier for the writers to craft her character's final season in a way that made sense. It's believed that the decision was "mutual" between her and the show's creative team.

Boone's reasoning for exiting the series was that she wanted to pursue other opportunities. Honestly, her reasoning isn't surprising at all because after being on a show for eight seasons, it makes sense why she would want to move on to do other things. Boone went on to create her own production company called "Weird Sister," through a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television. She reportedly closed on the deal with Sony before leaving The Blacklist.

Boone has only been in one project since her departure from the crime drama and it's the Fox crime drama series Accused. She played the role of Jenny for one episode of the show.

What are your thoughts on Megan Boone's exit from The Blacklist?