'The Blacklist' season 4 release date, spoilers news: Upcoming season premiering in September; Alexander Kirk not fourth season's Big Bad?

It came as a shock to fans when Alexander Kirk (Ulrich Thomsen) kidnapped Liz Keen (Megan Boone) in the season 3 finale of "The Blacklist" but not after revealing that she is Liz's biological father. Now, if speculations prove true, fans would be even more baffled when season 4 makes another startling revelation.

Fans readily labeled Kirk as a villain when he captured Liz after divulging highly sensitive information to her. This prompted Liz to fake her death and go into hiding. However, rumors have it that Kirk might not be season 4's real enemy after all.

The season 3 finale never got to the point where Kirk was proven Liz's dad, and with Red (James Spader) claiming once before that he also fathered Liz, the issue of Liz's parentage has stayed dim. What viewers know is that Kirk was responsible for sending Liz into hiding. Now, though, it looks like he isn't the harmful persona fans would like to perceive.

Cinema Blend has previously reported that "The Blacklist's" showrunner, John Eisendrath, said the rest of the characters have no idea as to the identity of the suspected villain. Apparently, Kirk took Liz to protect her and keep her safe from someone else.The upcoming season could even reveal that Kirk is, indeed, Liz's father, and as such, he will never compromise her safety.

Nevertheless, in his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Eisendrath refused to delve into the question about the big bad of season 4. He did imply that Kirk may or may not be the villain.

"That's definitely a cliffhanger for next year. It's definitely an, 'Oh my God, who really is this person, what's his agenda and what is going to happen to Liz?' We're left with Red and everyone aware of the fact that Liz is alive, and she's also been abducted," he said.

It looks like Red will think Kirk is the villain, but there is definitely going to be a catch to it that only season 4 can verify. One thing is sure, though. Season 4 will be introducing more enemies to the fold, so things would get exciting from the get-go. Another thing to look forward to is whether things would be better between Red and Liz after the latter's betrayal.

"The Blacklist" season 4 will return to NBC on Sept. 22.