Five reasons why you need to watch Seven's new US drama The Blacklist

SEVEN'S gripping new drama was a ratings smash hit last night. If you didn't tune in, here's why you better catch up quick smart.

James Spader in brilliant in The Blacklist. Picture: Supplied

WE'VE been inundated with reality TV shows all year, but Channel 7's gripping new drama The Blacklist is putting a bomb under them all.

The show starring James Spader has it all - crime, conspiracy, sexual tension and plenty of blood and guts - and it's all anyone is talking about.

Seven's decision to fast-track the US series is clearly paying off in spades - episode four last night garnered an impressive 1.46 million viewers, second only to Seven's other ratings winner The X Factor, grabbing 1.67 million.

Five reasons why The Blacklist is a ratings winner:

1) James Spader is back. Let's say that again, this time with a little more oomph. James Spader is back! The American actor is best known for his TV turn as Alan Shore in Boston Legal and the 53-year-old star brings the same wry sense of humour and quirky antics to his new character. Raymond "Red" Reddington, like all good crime show protagonists, is a book of mysteries who doesn't fear death and we look forward to uncovering just what drives him as the show goes on.

2) The show is not afraid of graphic violence. In the opening scene of one episode, audiences witness a criminal's hand being sliced off in the cold light of day as he drives down a main street. It's confronting stuff but the shock value keeps viewers tuned in.

3) Elizabeth Keen, played by Megan Boone, and Meera Malik played by Parminder Nagra, are great supporting characters. They're smart, gutsy and diverse and it's nice to see them getting just as much airtime as the enigmatic Spader.

4) The favourable program slot is helping The Blacklist in the ratings. Following on from the highest rating show of the week - The X Factor live finals - would give any show a boost but it also shows Channel 7's belief in the program, which is a good omen for the newcomer.

5) Channel 10's Homeland is limping along like a drunk sloth. The drama, which was once a huge ratings success for Ten, airs at the same time as The Blacklist and has been slooooow to develop in plot since starting its third season. The program didn't even rate in the top 20 programs of the night last night.

James Spader in brilliant in The Blacklist. Picture: Supplied

Ratings wrap:

Yet again, The X Factor and The Blacklist ruled the ratings roost, their big gun viewing numbers earning them Monday's ratings gold star.

1.67 million tuned in to see Third D3Gree get the chop from the Seven network talent show as it gears up for the mega grand final next week while James Spader is reeling viewers in like a fishing line, with 1.46 million peeps fascinated by the ex-CIA agent's antics.

Seven News was a winner in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth while according to OzTam figures from industry bible Mediaweek, Nine News took the win in Sydney and Melbourne. A Current Affair was top of the pile in Melbourne and Brisbane. Today Tonight won in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Scandal improved on its two former airings with 604,000 watching, while Big Brother was watched by just over 900,000 which would please the Nine Network.

A new episode and a repeat of The Big Bang Theory both did just over 1.01m; 2 Broke Girls was just over 600,000; the Ten Network's Eyewitness News had 718,000 eyeballs. The Project garnered 559,000. A League of Their Own had a disappointing 253,000 while the much hyped Homeland had just 400,000.

Monday is always a good ratings night for the ABC - maybe we're all in need of a brain fix after a big weekend? The 7pm news bulletin news grabbed over 900,000, the Leigh Sales-led 7.30 got 900,000 and 828,000 opted for Four Corners before Q & A hit the 600,000 mark. Phew.

THE TOP TEN MONDAY NIGHT SHOWS:

1 The X Factor Live Results Seven 1,673,000

2 The Blacklist Seven 1,468,000

3 Nine News Nine 1,314,000

4 Seven News Seven 1,187,000

5 Today Tonight Seven 1,045,000

6 The Big Bang Theory (R) Nine 1,018,000

7 A Current Affair Nine 1,017,000

8 The Big Bang Theory Nine 1,012,000

9 Australian Story ABC1 986,000

10 Home And Away Seven 953,000

OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Media Watch ABC1 735,000

Hot Seat Nine 625,000

2 Broke Girls Nine 610,000

Scandal Seven 604,000

Have you been watching The Blacklist? Tell us what you think of the show in the comments below.

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