TV

NBC renews Spader drama ‘The Blacklist’

NBC on Tuesday handed out an early second-season renewal to its freshman hit “The Blacklist,” a day after the James Spader drama posted its best ratings since its premiere.

The network has ordered a full 22-episode second season of the action procedural for the 2014-15 TV season.

“The Blacklist” ended its fall run with a bang Monday night — drawing 12.3 million viewers and a 3.5 rating in the “money” adults 18-49 demo, its best demo rating since its September premiere.

In the series, Spader plays rogue criminal Red Reddington, who’s now cooperating with the FBI — but only with agent Liz Keen (Megan Boone). Monday’s episode — the conclusion of its two-part fall finale — matched the 18-49 rating of its lead-in, “The Voice.”

In viewers, “The Blacklist” grew 14 percent week-over-week.

The series is the No. 1 new show in both total viewers and adults 18-49, and set a DVR record for its Nov. 4 episode, adding more than 6 million viewers.

“The Blacklist” returns with new episodes on Jan. 13.