NBC’s hit series “The Blacklist” returns for its third season on Oct. 1.

Fans of the dark James Spader-staring drama have been warned by John Eisendrath, an EP on the show, that when the new season starts the show will have a totally different feel.

In the intense finale Liz Keen (Megan Boone) became a fugitive and ran off with Red (James Spader), leaving her friends at the FBI confused and frustrated about what to do next.

When the show picks up next month Agent Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff ) will be charged with tracking Keen down.

“That’s going to cause a lot of tension between those on the task force, each of whom has a very specific point of view about the value of [arresting Liz],” Eisendrath told TVLine.

Explaining the complications that will arise, Eisendrath said, “Ressler is a dogged, by-the-book guy who is going to bring [Liz and Red] in. At the same time, we have found opportunities for Red and Liz to convince the FBI that one of the best ways to keep track of them is to assist them in going after certain blacklisters, who Red and Liz are going after in order to exonerate Liz.”

In order to evade the authorities, Liz goes blonde.

“What we hit on in the story is that by virtue of her being on the run and having to change her look, she ends up realizing that she may look like her mother,” said executive producer Jon Bokenkamp, according to Entertainment Weekly.

“It felt like a really nice, organic way to take the on-the-run story of two fugitives and yet tie it back into the mythology of who Liz is, who Red is, what their relationship is and to lean into the bigger question of identity.”
"The Blacklist" Season 3 will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.