The pilot episode of The Blacklist was written by Ernest Hemingway.
Ernest Miller Hemingway ( July 21 , 1899 -- July 2 , 1961 ) was an American novelist , short story writer , and journalist . Joseph Aaron `` Joe '' Carnahan ( born May 9 , 1969 ) is an American independent film director , screenwriter , producer and actor best known for his films Blood , Guts , Bullets and Octane , Narc , Smokin ' Aces , The A-Team , and The Grey . The Blacklist (TV series) . The pilot episode was written by Jon Bokenkamp and directed by Joe Carnahan .