Mozhan Marnò's departure from NBC crime thriller The Blacklist and her role as Agent Samar Navabi after season 6 left audiences in shock. Samar had been a crucial member of the task force since season 2, but her fate became uncertain in season 6 when it was revealed that she never fully recovered from a car accident that had left her submerged in water for several minutes. The show's creator, Jon Bokenkamp, hinted in a TVLine interview that her health issues would have a significant impact on the show.
In the season 6 finale, a rift formed between Samar and Aram after she was cleared by doctors to return to the task force. However, Mossad viewed Samar's declining health as a liability and ordered a hit on her life. Determined not to let her problems ruin Aram's life, Samar made a daring escape with the assistance of Red (James Spader), fleeing to an undisclosed location. Her final words to Aram were a declaration of love and a promise to never forget him. This is the true reason behind Samar Navabi's departure from The Blacklist cast.
Why Mozhan Marnò Left Blacklist After Season 6
Samar Navabi's departure from The Blacklist after season 6 was a result of Mozhan Marnò's decision to leave the series. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play Samar in a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking the cast, crew, and fans for the incredible experience. Marnò felt that it was time for her to embark on the next chapter of her life, and the producers kindly granted her request to move on from the show. Given the many years she dedicated to The Blacklist, it is understandable that Marnò decided to explore other opportunities. The storyline involving Samar's health provided a fitting exit for the character. Marnò's departure from the show has paved the way for her to be recognized as a talented and established actor, leading to roles in The Affair, Maid, and the 2020 film iGilbert, where she portrayed Detective Rivera.
What Happened To Blacklist's Samar Navabi (Did She Die)?
After discovering that the brain injury she sustained in The Blacklist season 5 had left her with Vascular Dementia, Samar Navabi became a target and had to go into hiding. Aram initially planned to accompany her, but Samar ultimately decided that she couldn't let him leave his life and family behind for her. In the season 6 finale, "The Osterman Umbrella Company," Samar boarded a plane and flew to an undisclosed location. Although Vascular Dementia is not curable and will eventually lead to her death, Samar's relatively young age and early diagnosis suggest that she could live for several years with proper medical intervention. Despite her absence, season 7 of The Blacklist saw the return of James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klatenhoff, and Harry Lennix. However, the show noticeably felt different without one of their top agents, even though Samar made a semi-return in a hallucinatory sequence in season 9.
How Samar Came Back To The Blacklist In Season 9
Though Mozhan Marnò no longer appears as a regular cast member, she did make a guest appearance in episode 19 of The Blacklist season 9, titled "The Bear Mask." In this episode, Aram experienced an extended hallucination as a way to cope with his anxiety and depression. Within this hallucination, Aram encountered a darker version of himself who repeatedly attacked and killed everyone at the Post Office. However, Samar appeared in a vision and advised Aram to stop blaming himself for the negative aspects of his life. While this wasn't a true comeback for Samar Navabi on The Blacklist, it served as a meaningful reunion for the show's characters.
There Hasn't Been A Blacklist Season 10 Samar Return (Yet)
The departure of Mozhan Marnò from The Blacklist seems to still hold true, as Samar Navabi has been absent from the 10th and final season of the show. As the series approaches its conclusion, it appears highly unlikely that Samar will make a comeback following her brief appearance in season 9. While some characters unexpectedly returned for the tenth season, such as Aram Mojtabai who was initially slated to leave after the season 9 finale, and Stacy Keach's Robert Vesco, the con man who departed after season 6 like Samar, it seems improbable that Samar Navabi will join their ranks. Given the satisfying conclusion to Samar's storyline and Mozhan Marnò's career trajectory, it is doubtful that she will return like these other characters.
What Mozhan Marnò Has Done Since The Blacklist
Mozhan Marnò, known for her role as Samar Navabi on The Blacklist, has expanded her career in remarkable ways. She recently joined the cast of Pam & Tommy, portraying Gail Chwatsky, and in 2019, she lent her voice to the DC animated film Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, where she portrayed Doctor Cyber. Additionally, Marnò takes on the role of Detective Rivera in the 2021 film iGilbert.
Television has become a familiar territory for Mozhan Marnò, as she has made notable appearances in various popular shows, including Bones, Medium, The Mentalist, The Glades, and Hung. Alongside her role in The Blacklist, Marnò also played Ayla Sayyad in Netflix's adaptation of House of Cards. Beyond her acting endeavors, Marnò also has aspirations to become a screenwriter and director. She has already showcased her talents by writing and directing her own short film, Incoming. With such diverse skills, it is hopeful that audiences will have the opportunity to witness more of Marnò's talents beyond her portrayal in The Blacklist.