The perfect replacement show for audiences who love it White collar took the premise behind Neal Caffrey's (Matt Bomer) story and changed it to be much darker. Although updates to White collar revival did not occur, both the upcoming series and the original continue to be discussed and theorized about by old and new fans of the comedic procedural due to its success on Netflix. At the same time, many audiences have sought to find programs that share aspects with White collar, whether by structure, tone or characterizations.
Many of the programs similar to White collar copy the series' complex relationship between Neal and Peter Burke (Tim DeKay), as Suits or Psychologicalalthough the details of these dynamics vary. Others mirror White collarthe strong action and heists that so often raised the stakes of the overarching plotas Lupine. However, audiences looking for a closer fit White collarThe character in focus may find it mirrored in a very different procedure, which took the story in a much more dramatic direction: The blacklist.
The Blacklist Was a Much Darker Version of White Collar History
Raymond Reddington was a more violent version of Neal
Even though it has a much darker tone, The black list it's a perfect White collar replacement due to the similarities between Neal and Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader). In White collar, Neal's jovial attitude and mischievous nature help set the series' lighter tone.since his intelligence allows him to solve problems with little or no violence. Neal is usually one step ahead, and if he's not, he's able to improvise, which makes him a compelling protagonist as he tries to reconcile his growing desire for a normal life with his talent as a con artist.
Red shares many of these characteristics with Neal, as both men are well-dressed charmers and appreciate the finer things in life. That being said, Red's willingness to get what he wants by any means necessary takes the show in a darker directionas he is not afraid to inflict violence and does not seem to share Neal's many moral dilemmas. These reflective characterizations, combined with the similar episodic format that carries a broader story, connect The black list and White collar furthermore, making the first series perfect for this one's audience and vice versa.
The procedural format of the blacklist makes it even more similar to white collar
The Blacklist's overarching narrative is told in smaller stories
The black listThe format of also replicates that of White collar, using the procedural basis to tell a broader story. The main narrative of The black list follows Red as he assists a secret FBI task forcegiving them information and the location of notorious and secret criminals of what he calls "The black list." His motives are not altruistic, however, as his life is intertwined with that of one of the agents, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), whose own life begins to spiral as the secrets and lies surrounding her are revealed through Red's machinations.
The best episodes of The black list are able to match these revelations with the villain of the week, as well as White collar. Both shows often used the episode's antagonist as a means of continuing the overarching plot or to convey an important lesson that the characters needed to learn for their individual arcs. With this, the series was able to examine its characters in different settings while maintaining a steady pace as its larger stories reached their conclusions. As a result, the two shows were able to break the same premise in completely different ways, conveying parallel messages.
White collar and blacklists are different takes on the same premise
Both series reflect on themes of redemption and love
Both White collar and The black list use the premise of a criminal working with the FBI to convey similar ideas on the themes of redemption, love, and morality. The comical tone of White collar it allows the dynamic between Peter and Neal to be on an equal footing, with each giving up and gaining ground when it comes to their development. This balance allows the series to explore the idea that a man can be redeemed if he's willing to work, with Neal's arc showing his aforementioned desire for normalcy until White collar season 6 finale.
The black list then it became a reflection of White collar for it demonstrated how these gentler themes can be distorted when placed in more difficult circumstances.
The black list also explores these themes, but its heavier tone takes the show to a different conclusion. Reddington's actions are fueled by love, but he doesn't want any kind of redemption or camaraderie with the FBI team. In her opinion, her actions, while not moral, are the only way to ensure the best outcome, a disposition that Elizabeth somewhat adopts as the series progresses. The black list then it became a reflection of White collar for it demonstrated how these gentler themes can be distorted when placed in more difficult circumstances.