Throughout the 10 nail-biting seasons of The Blacklist, we’ve witnessed the incredible bond between Raymond Reddington (James Spader) and Dembe Zuma (Hisham Tawfiq), as they worked together to take down Red’s infamous list of Blacklisters. Dembe, Red’s trusted personal driver and bodyguard, has always been a fan favorite since his first introduction in the premiere of The Blacklist. But we soon discovered that Dembe was much more than just a chauffeur. He had been rescued by Red from a child trafficking ring and was adopted by him. Red raised Dembe and included him in his criminal syndicate, and throughout their time together, Dembe remained fiercely loyal to Red.
While Red is known for his lavish monologues, Dembe is a man of few words. When Red would go into a rage, Dembe knew to remain calm and collected. Red may be ruthless to many, but his love for Dembe is his vulnerability. As The Blacklist came to its series finale, the dynamics of Dembe and Red’s relationship had changed, but their loyalty to each other remained unwavering. In a thrilling and intense moment, Red was on the run from the authorities, with Dembe tasked with arresting him. During the pursuit, Dembe was shot, and Red provided a life-saving blood transfusion that may have contributed to Dembe’s tragic death.
During his recovery in the hospital, Dembe delivered a heart-wrenching monologue, reflecting on his adventures with Red and how much he admired Red’s fearlessness in the face of death. He shared that the core lesson he learned from Red was to “rage against” death by embracing life’s simplest pleasures. Dembe’s tear-jerking scene with Harold Cooper showcased the depth of their relationship and the impact Red had on their lives. It wasn’t about how it ended; it was about the adventure, the journey, and the reminder to truly live.
In a recent interview with NBC Insider, Hisham Tawfiq, the actor behind Dembe, discussed bidding farewell to such an iconic character and the legacy that The Blacklist leaves behind. With over 200 episodes, Tawfiq expressed a mix of sadness and gratitude, humbled by the opportunity to be part of such a historic show. When asked about his favorite Blacklister the Task Force has encountered, Tawfiq mentioned Mr. Solomon from Season 3 and Anslo Garrick from Season 1 as memorable characters he enjoyed working with during his time on the show.
Tawfiq also reminisced about some of his favorite memories from The Blacklist, mentioning the conversations Dembe had with his mom on the show and the moments where the entire cast came together on set. He highlighted a trip to Ghana in 2019 and the overwhelming love the people had for the show. These moments showcased the wide-reaching impact and dedicated fan base of The Blacklist.
Regarding Dembe’s relationship with Red, Tawfiq believed that their bond remained unchanged throughout the series. While the amount of time they spent together may have fluctuated, their unwavering trust and willingness to support each other in times of need were constants. The biggest change for Dembe was joining the Task Force and interacting with other members. Tawfiq highlighted his interactions with Harry Cooper, played by Harry Lennix, and the respect that developed between them. Dembe’s presence on the Task Force was initially met with hesitation, but ultimately, the team came to accept and respect him.
In one word, Tawfiq described the ending of The Blacklist as “epic.” Although the series has come to a close, the impact it has made on audiences and the memories created will remain. The Blacklist will forever be remembered for its thrilling storyline, complex characters, and the unforgettable bond between Raymond Reddington and Dembe Zuma. As fans bid farewell to this iconic show, they can reflect on the adventure and life lessons that Red and Dembe shared, reminding us all to embrace life and “rage against” death.