Amir Arison leaves the NBC series, Laura Sohn also leaves – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: The blacklist says goodbye to two regular series, including one of NBC drama’s longest-serving cast, Amir Arison. The actor, who has portrayed Aram Mojtabi for the past nine seasons, travels as he prepares to make his Broadway debut this summer starring as Amir in The kite pilot.

Departure is also Laura Sohn, who has portrayed FBI agent Alina Park for the past three seasons. The exit of both characters was revealed at the end of tonight’s season 9 finale.

While Arison leaves as a regular series, the door is open for him to guest star in season 10. His departure comes a year after yet another major. Blacklist cast exit in the season 8 finale when the original female lead Megan Boone resigned.

“I’ve been so honored to play Aram Mojtabai for 9 years now The blacklist, “ said Arison in a statement to Deadline. “It is not lost on me how lucky I am to have been able to work and develop myself with a role for 9 years with this extraordinary cast, crew, writers and producer. However, I could not pass up the chance to fulfill a childhood dream of being on Broadway and playing ‘Amir’ in The kite pilot with a stage adaptation that is both breathtaking and contemporary. The producers, the studio and the network have been so supportive of my decision and Aram remains ‘alive’ with the potential for a possible return at some point. Historically, it feels so organic with the events of the past season to take this step, and I could not have asked for a better result. “

SPOILER ALERT: In addition to this point, there are details of the season 9 finale of The blacklist.

In the finale (more details on that later), Aram announced that he is keeping a bit free and plans to “maybe [catch] a Broadway show “as he steps down after an intense storyline that culminated in the latest episode” The Bear Mask, “which highlighted the importance of mental health.

Arison came along The blacklist as a recurring in season 1 and was promoted to regular season in season 2. He was one of four season 9 series regulars who had been on the show since season 1 alongside star James Spader as well as Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix and Hisham Tawfiq.

“Amir has been a big part of The blacklist family, ”said executive producer / showrunner John Eisendrath in a statement to Deadline. “He’s a great actor and an even better person. We wish him the best of luck and hope he can return to repeat the role for some very special episodes next year.”

Sohn came along The blacklist in season 7 as a recurring and was promoted to a regular series beginning with season 8. She leaves the series to pursue other projects.

Tonight’s season 9 finale opens with Harold (Lennix), Dembe (Tawfiq), Red (Spader) and Alina (Sohn) in search of Marvin (Fisher Stevens), who is later discovered on a private jet set to take off for Cuba. Marvin is remanded in custody and presents an agreement to Cynthia (Deirdre Lovejoy) to replace Red in the Task Force and have him arrested. Marvin tells Cynthia that he would start a new task force and provide a steady stream of criminals for justice. Red later threatens to kill Marvin, who orchestrated the murder of Elizabeth Keens, but Marvin ends up taking his own life and shoots himself dead in a car after being released from custody.

At the end of the episode, where Marvin was now dead, Cooper was acquitted of charges related to Doug Koster’s death, and the Reddington Task Force, ready to continue, gathers the team at Liz’s graveyard to mark the third anniversary of her death. . While remembering Liz in the cemetery, Aram informs the team that he has decided to take some time away.

“It’s been three years since we lost Elizabeth. In some ways it’s gotten easier. But in most ways it still hurts,” says Aram. “My hope is to do this without crying… And this part “It does not get any easier. After a lot of careful consideration, I have decided to take some time off. I do not know how long, but I know… away.”

He continues: “My plan is no plan. I found a cool place in Brooklyn. I go up there, and just so you know, ride my bike, take in New York, eat lots of pizza, watch the people, maybe a Broadway. “At least I know we’re here to talk about Elizabeth, but I’ve wanted to tell you.”

Sohn’s Alina also informs the team in one of the last scenes that she is pregnant, and tells after an appointment with the agency’s neurologist that it is probably the cause of the headache she has had, and which has worsened recently, but until the cause is known. certainly she has decided to take a sick leave.

In the final scene, we see Chin Han, who repeats the role of Wujing, one of the very first Blacklisters from season 1, escape from prison, after learning from Marvin that Red is in fact an FBI informant responsible for his imprisonment . Wujing, who is now free, instead of returning home, is betting on killing Red – but he will not do it alone. He has a list provided by Gerard of other Blacklisters he can recruit to take on Reddington – and sets the stage for season 10.

The blacklist is produced by Sony Pictures Television Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Eisendrath, series creators Jon Bokenkamp, ​​John Davis and John Fox from Davis Entertainment, Spader, Lukas Reiter, Laura A. Benson, Daniel Cerone, Sean Hennen, Allison Glock-Cooper and T Cooper are executive producers.

Arison leads and tells The kite, based on NYT’s bestselling novel, a joking tale of friendship that spans cultures and continents. Set in Afghanistan, it’s about a man’s journey as he confronts his past and finds redemption. Following a West End race, the play will begin performances on July 6 in a limited number until October 30, with the opening night set for July 21.

On television, Arison also recently appeared in Hulu’s limited series The apostasy with Amanda Seyfried in the lead role. His other TV credits include recurring and guest appearances on shows, including Law and Order: SVU, American Horror Story, Ramy, Billions, Bull, Homeland and Girls. On the film side, he recently starred in the indie drama 20 weeks.

Arison is currently directing a documentary series on working with 8-year-old cancer survivor Tatianna Bernard on the creation of Tati’s fashion show and its impact on her health and family life. He is the recipient of the Mendez Award from MIFF, given to someone in the entertainment industry who uses their platform to give back, and also recently received the SJFF Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sohn has also appeared as a guest NCIS: New Orleans, God made me friend and Instinct.