James Spader’s Robert California Was Perfect Practice For Raymond Reddington

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Prior to landing the role of Raymond “Red” Reddington in “The Blacklist,” James Spader honed the character’s subtle threat and slick personality through his brief yet outstanding performance in another series. In 2011, “The Office” faced a significant void left by Steve Carell, and their initial pick for the new Scranton branch manager, Will Ferrell, was met with strong resistance. Spader’s character, Robert California, was originally intended as Ferrell’s replacement, but he soon transcended that role.

If Raymond Reddington possesses a certain menacing charm that’s difficult to define, it could be traced back to the character from ‘Office’ who managed to persuade Dunder Mifflin’s CEO to hand over her position to him. Although Reddington is a skilled criminal and undercover agent disguising himself as someone else, the true identity or nature of Robert California remains unclear. However, this role seemed to be an ideal precursor to what is undoubtedly James Spader’s most memorable career performance.

James Spader’s Character In The Blacklist Uses A Fake Identity Throughout The Show

The Character Is Really An Imposter Who Stole The Real Raymond Reddington’s Identity

As a dedicated fan of “The Blacklist,” I was left reeling when it was unveiled in season 6 that James Spader’s character wasn’t who we thought he was. Turns out, the man I’d been following all this time is an imposter, having taken on the identity of the genuine Raymond Reddington after his demise. This deception fits perfectly with the enigmatic persona Spader’s character has portrayed throughout the series, given his shady criminal background and past as a covert operative for the Soviet Union within the U.S military.

Despite The Blacklist not revealing the authentic identity of Spader’s character at its conclusion, fan speculation suggests that Katarina Rostova, a Russian spy and former lover of the genuine Raymond Reddington, could be behind the disguise. According to this theory, Rostova underwent gender reassignment surgery to adopt the persona portrayed by Spader’s character throughout the series. This isn’t the only hypothesis about Red’s true identity; all the conjectures underscore his enigmatic nature.

James Spader’s Prior TV Show Prepared Him To Play A Character With A Fake Identity

Robert California Is The Office’s Version Of Raymond Reddington

As I watched James Spader on The Office portraying Robert California, I couldn’t help but feel a familiar sense of intrigue and uncertainty, much like when he later donned the role of Red in The Blacklist. Throughout his time on The Office, the enigma surrounding Robert California’s past and his qualifications to manage a paper company was a tantalizing mystery. It wasn’t until his final appearance that we learned he had been posing as someone other than who he truly was.

In the last episode of the eighth season of The Office, titled “Free Family Portrait Studio”, Robert California (played by James Spader) surprises everyone at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, including former CEO David Wallace, by introducing himself under a new name. It remains unclear whether he was previously known as Bob Kazamakis or Robert California. Given the character’s ability to adopt multiple identities, it is not hard to envision him as a seasoned con artist. Regardless, this role undeniably served as an excellent stepping stone for James Spader in his portrayal of Raymond Reddington.

The Blacklist’s Raymond Reddington Has More In Common With Robert California Than You’d Expect

It’s As Though James Spader Was Preparing To Play Red Through His Role In The Office

It appears that James Spader played a significant role in developing both Robert California’s and Raymond Reddington’s personal traits, suggesting that he likely contributed to the unusual similarities between these two characters. While one character was the self-proclaimed boss of a fictional paper company in a sitcom, and the other is a seasoned double-agent, fugitive from the FBI, and informant in a crime drama series, it’s striking how much they have in common, given their contrasting roles.

Both characters have a unique ability to inspire fear without raising their voices. Their commanding presence, hinted at by an understated air of authority and even potential violence, is palpable in the calm, detached way Raymond Reddington and Robert California speak. They both share similar gestures, using positive body language and frequently pausing to keep their audience fully engaged as they speak.

In an unusual twist, Robert California shows a distinct fondness for Eastern European women during his last appearance on The Office. Some theories suggest that the character Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist was actually an Eastern European woman, or had a romantic history with one. The striking similarities between these characters are too numerous to ignore, leading some to believe that James Spader was intentionally preparing for his role as Raymond Reddington by portraying a character with similar traits in The Office.

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2025-05-08 06:31