The 5 best James Spader TV shows that you need to watch at least once

James Spader is one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, as his career is a testament to the fact that success can come if you are focused and reinvent yourself accordingly. In the first 25 years, Spader spent time building a strong foundation in cinema, with memorable supporting roles in films like Pretty in Pink, and collaborating with acclaimed directors such as Steven Soderbergh, Oliver Stone, Mike Nichols, and David Cronenberg.

It was in 2003 when he entered television as a late-career experiment. But his roles in several TV shows currently define his career. From The Practice, Boston Legal, to the legendary show The Office and The Blacklist, he contributed to all of these TV shows with his signature eccentricity. Here is the list of James Spader TV shows that you must watch at least once.

Here is the list of the 5 best James Spader TV shows that you need to watch at least once

The Blacklist (2013–2023)

In the recent show, The Blacklist, James Spader delivers a brilliant performance as Ray "Red" Reddington. Shown as a former agent turned criminal mastermind, he is also witty and equally vulnerable. He is shown as a convincing and charming character who knows his game. A lot of fans came to know the actor through The Blacklist, who leaves the FBI profiler Elizabeth's life upside down, being the world's most wanted criminal. Reddington eventually surrenders to the FBI and also helps them find other dangerous fugitives.

For this performance, Spader earned two Golden Globe nominations and which further solidifies his legacy in TV shows.

Boston Legal (2004–2008)

James Spader appears as Alan Shore in Boston Legal, playing a morally ambiguous character with eccentricity. Spader also had a brilliant chemistry with his co-actors, like William Shatner, which helped in the razor-sharp courtroom monologues seen in the show. Spader has played the character with heart and cynicism, adding humor and social commentary all at once. The lawyers deal with high-profile criminal cases while also confronting their own moral contradictions.

Spader was nominated for three nominations in Emmys, out of which he earned 2, one of them being Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

The Practice (1997–2004)

Before Boston Legal, Spader’s character Alan Shore made his debut in the final season of The Practice, marking his major shift into Television. He is introduced as a character who challenges rigid ideals in the legal system and injects a fresh take into the drama. Despite the limited screentime in the original show, his character is loved for his sharp and witty dialogues and magnetic persona, cementing his appearance in the show's spin-off, Boston Legal, which centers entirely around his character.

The Office (2011–2012)

In The Office, James Spader appeared as Robert California, the CEO of the company, with the special skill of talking to anybody and getting the work done. He can change a typical office scene into a psychological showdown. This highlights the actor's perfect comedic timing. Spader's character did what he is best at, blending humor with a touch of discomfort and making the viewers laugh. This is why the show then brought him back as the new CEO, given his ability to convince anyone.

Seinfeld

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Spader was not leading in this one but appeared briefly as a guest on the comedy show, making a memorable gateway for the viewers. He is portrayed as an arrogant and self-absorbed Jason Hanky, while his performance left a lasting impact.

All of these shows and James Spader's character show how he not only plays a character but lives it, embedding them into he narrative without losing the authenticity.

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