TV Article James Spader to headline NBC thriller pilot By Sandra Gonzalez Published on March 12, 2013 12:00PM EDT Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images After a stint on NBC’s The Office, Spader will once again team up with the Peacock Network when he takes on a role in the thriller pilot The Blacklist. Spader will play Raymond “Red” Reddington, a former Army intelligence officer-turned-wanted criminal who turns himself in with the intention of giving up all his fellow accomplices. The catch? He wants to work with newbie FBI agent Liz Keen (Megan Boone), a woman “with whom he seemingly has no connection.” (That means there’s a connection, right?) Red is said to reject the “spy” label, instead preferring to be thought of as a broker who arranges deals for criminals — for a price. The pilot, from executive producers Jon Bokenkamp (Perfect Strangers) and Alias‘ John Eisendrath, received a pick up from NBC back in January. More pilot news: ‘Star Trek’ actor joins J.J. Abrams pilot Fall drama pilots 2013 master list