The Blacklist Season 9 features a diverse core cast that has been established over multiple seasons, including prominent black characters like Dembe Zuma and Harold Cooper, and Asian-American Alina Park, who receive increased focus after Elizabeth Keen's departure without any race or gender swaps from source material. Storytelling remains a traditional procedural crime drama centered on blacklisters, conspiracies, addictions, and betrayals, with no overarching progressive narrative or creator-stated activist intent. The primary woke element is Episode 9 'Boukman Baptiste,' which includes overt dialogue on systemic racism, institutional bias against black people, anti-police rhetoric, and direct references to Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, presented through Dembe's daughter and backstory; this drew significant viewer backlash labeling it preachy, forced BLM messaging, and fake woke that disrupts entertainment. Other episodes lack such themes, focusing on neutral crime plots. Audience reception emphasizes quality decline post-Keen rather than widespread woke criticism, with isolated complaints not leading to major controversy or cancellation tied to ideology.