'The Blacklist' Season 2 Spoilers: 9 Things To Know Before The Sept. 22 Premiere

"The Blacklist" is back. Season 2 of the NBC drama will premiere on Monday, Sept. 22, reuniting fans with Liz Keenan (Megan Boone) as she tracks down the world’s most dangerous criminals with the help of former criminal mastermind (now morally ambiguous F.B.I. collaborator) Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) and his “blacklist” rolodex of world renowned bad guys.

Season 1 of “The Blacklist” ended with Berlin (Peter Stormare), a nemesis of Red, narrowly escaping capture while Liz and Red’s relationship cooled after she found out he had mercy-killed her step-father ... and might be her father. Fans are looking forward to Season 2 answering some of their most burning questions.

Check out 9 things you need to know before the Season 2 premiere of “The Blacklist”:

1. Red And Liz

The biggest question on the minds of fans is if Red is Liz’s father. However, the producers say an answer will not be coming anytime soon. Executive Producers Jon Bokenkamp and John Eisendrath, along with James Spader, revealed at San Diego Comic-Con that the answer not come in the premiere, and will likely not even come this season. Spader says the most important aspect of the show is the nature of their present relationship and not the secrets of their pasts.

2. Berlin Is Back

After narrowly escaping (despite losing a hand) in the Season 1 finale, Peter Stormare (“Fargo”) returns as Berlin, Red’s most threatening foe (so far). In the new season, Red is on the hunt for Berlin and seems ready to go to any lengths to get his man. It is not clear how long the chess match between the two criminal masterminds will go, but it should be a fun one for fans to watch.

3. Berlin Has Help

Red may be after Berlin, but Berlin is after Red just the same. The beginning of "The Blacklist" Season 2 will be a race for each to get the upper hand and Berlin is bringing in reinforcements in the form of a new baddie named Lord Baltimore. Not much has been revealed about the new villain, but a recent trailer suggests that to get to Red, Lord Baltimore might target Liz first.

4. An Old Friend

While Berlin is getting some help, Red is also gaining an ally in the Season 2 premiere. The synopsis reveals that Red will reunite with an old friend in the premiere and at San Diego Comic-Con that friend was revealed to be a woman named Naomi Highland, played by none other than Mary Louise-Parker (“Weeds”). The producers were mum on any character details, but it should be exciting to see Spader and Louise-Parker’s chemistry.

5. Liz is in Recovery

Another Comic-Con spoiler is the fairly obvious fact that Liz will be dealing with some serious trauma after the events of Season 1. After watching her husband-turned secret villain Tom (Ryan Eggold) die in front of her and finding out that Red mercy-killed her step-dad, Liz is not doing so hot. At the end of Season 1 Liz threatened to quit the F.B.I. and leave Red behind for good. While that may not last, she certainly has some issues to work though.

6. Liz and Ressler

One thing that may help Liz get over that whole Tom thing is another man. Fans have speculated that Liz and F.B.I. agent Donald Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) might spark a romantic connection and producer John Eisendrath says it’s a possibility down the road.

7. Is Tom Dead?

Speaking of Tom, despite apparently dying in front of Liz and Red (but not before throwing a wrench in the whole father question issue) the producers at Comic-Con were unwilling to say for sure if Tom was dead. Is it possible the husband/agent could return in Season 2?

8. Krysten Ritter

Another big guest star appearance coming in the Season 2 premiere is Krysten Ritter (“Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23”). Ritter will play Chloe, a data security firm analyst who helps out Red and Liz. Will she aid Red in finding Berlin?

9. Super Bowl

Riding on “The Blacklist’s” massive success and popularity, NBC is giving “The Blacklist” a special post-Super Bowl airing. The time slot is historically a ratings juggernaut and will help re-launch the series at a new time slot, moving to Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT. Fans can expect a two-part special episode to air after the big game.

“The Blacklist” premieres Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 p.m. EDT on NBC. Are you excited for the Season 2 premiere? Tweet your thoughts to @Ja9GarofaloTV.