Reacher (TV series) explained

Developer:Nick Santora
Showrunner:Nick Santora
Composer:Tony Morales
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:16
Cinematography:Bernard Couture
Michael McMurray
Ronald Plante
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:42–56 minutes
Network:Amazon Prime Video

Reacher is an American action crime television series developed by Nick Santora for Amazon Prime Video. Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, it stars Alan Ritchson as the title character, a self-proclaimed hobo and former U.S. Army military policeman with formidable strength, intellect, and abilities. During his travels, Reacher crosses paths with dangerous criminals and is forced to do battle.

The first season of Reacher was based on Killing Floor, Child's 1997 debut novel, and was released on February 4, 2022. The second season, based on Bad Luck and Trouble (2007), began on December 15, 2023, and concluded on January 19, 2024. In early December 2023, the series star, Alan Ritchson, revealed that filming of a third season had begun, based on the 2003 novel Persuader.[1]

Premise

Jack Reacher is a former U.S. Army military police major with extensive AWOL investigative and combat experience who prefers to live as a drifter, traveling from town to town across the United States.

In season 1, while visiting the (fictional) rural town of Margrave, Georgia, Reacher is arrested for murder. After he is freed, he teams up with two honest police officers, Oscar Finlay and Roscoe Conklin, to investigate a local conspiracy involving corrupt lawmen, politicians, and a wealthy business tycoon and his son.

In season 2, Reacher is contacted by a former member of his defunct MP unit from New York City when one of their own is murdered under mysterious circumstances. He reassembles his old team to find the murderers and avenge their friend.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season 2 (2023–24)

Production

Development

On July 15, 2019, a TV series adaptation of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series was announced by Amazon. Nick Santora, who created Scorpion, was set to write, showrun, and produce the series through Paramount Television and Skydance Media.[4] On January 14, 2020, the TV series was greenlit, with Don Granger, Scott Sullivan, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross, and Christopher McQuarrie as executive producers with Child. The first season was announced as an adaptation of Child's novel Killing Floor.[5] In July 2021, it was announced M. J. Bassett had joined the series as a director.[6] On February 7, 2022, Amazon Prime Video renewed the series for a second season.[7] To adapt the books to screen the writers decided they would need to make Reacher verbalize his thoughts more often, but that they would keep his dialogue short and direct and have him only speak longer to people he respects. They also decided to introduce Neagley to the series earlier than in the books.[8] On December 2, 2023, ahead of the second-season premiere, it was revealed that filming of a third season had begun.[1]

Casting

On September 4, 2020, Alan Ritchson was cast in the title role.[9] On March 22, 2021, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald, and Chris Webster were cast as series regulars.[10] On May 19, 2021, Bruce McGill, Maria Sten, and Hugh Thompson joined the main cast.[11] On June 11, 2021, Kristin Kreuk, Marc Bendavid, Willie C. Carpenter, Currie Graham, Harvey Guillén, and Maxwell Jenkins were announced to have joined the cast in undisclosed capacities.[12]

On September 14, 2022, Shaun Sipos joined as a series regular for the second season.[13] On September 21, 2022, Serinda Swan, Ferdinand Kingsley, and Rory Cochrane joined the main cast while Domenick Lombardozzi, Luke Bilyk, Dean McKenzie, Edsson Morales, Andres Collantes, Shannon Kook, Ty Olsson, Josh Blacker, and Al Sapienza are set to guest star for the second season.[14] Goodwin, Swan and Lombardozzi already starred in Santora's Breakout Kings in 2011. On May 5, 2023, Robert Patrick was cast to replace Cochrane who left due to a scheduling conflict with the second season.[15]

On February 8, 2024, Anthony Michael Hall and Sonya Cassidy were cast as series regulars for season 3.[16] On March 6, 2024, Brian Tee, Johnny Berchtold and Roberto Montesinos were cast as regulars of the third season, whereas Daniel David Stewart will play a more recurring role.[17] On May 2024, bodybuilder Olivier Richters, also known as "the Dutch Giant", was cast as Persuader's secondary antagonist Paulie.[18]

Filming

A temporary townscape was built in North Pickering, Ontario to support filming of season 1. The entire fictional city of Margrave was built from the ground up in a leased farm field in Ontario. Other areas of filming include Toronto, Port Perry and Pickering.[19] Principal shooting of season 1 took place between April 15 and July 30, 2021, in Toronto.[20] During filming, Ritchson broke a bone in his shoulder which required surgery and tore an abdominal muscle during a fight scene.[21] Filming for the third season was underway by December 2023, announced as part of the season three renewal.[1]

Release

The first season's episodes were released on February 4, 2022.[22]

For the second season, the first three episodes were released on December 15, 2023, with an additional episode released each week through January 19, 2024.[23]

Reception

Audience

Reacher was the most streamed television series for the week of February 7–13, 2022, according to the Nielsen streaming rankings, the first Amazon production to achieve the feat.[24]

Critical response

For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 7.3/10, based on 75 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Reacher captures the trademark bulk of its titular hero while trading away some of his definition, but fans of the novels will find plenty to love about this faithful adaptation."[25] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[26]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian said, "This rollicking adaptation of Lee Child's man-mountain ex-military sleuth is hugely fun, packed with punchups and far better than Cruise's movie efforts."[27] Michael Hogan of The Telegraph wrote, "Reacher is huge, pulpy fun and far classier than you might expect."[28] Joshua Alston of Variety praised the casting of Ritchson but said the character was unsuitable to carry this kind of show: "the longer it runs, the more obvious its protagonist-shaped void becomes".[29] Dan Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter called it "frustratingly over-faithful to the source material", saying, "I wouldn't mind another season, but I'd probably still rather read another book."[30]

The second season has a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 43 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's critics consensus states, "Brawny as Alan Ritchson's biceps, Reacher swaggers confidently into its sophomore season as rock 'em sock 'em pulp with a sly wink."[31] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 79 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[32] Conversely, Forbes panned the second season as "one of the worst shows on TV", adding that "there’s just not enough going on to make him (Reacher) a particularly compelling protagonist".[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Reacher' Renewed for Season 3 at Amazon Ahead of Season 2 Premiere. Variety. Joe. Otterson. December 2, 2023. December 2, 2023. December 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231202221821/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/reacher-renewed-season-3-amazon-season-2-premiere-1235818180/. live.
  2. Web site: Charles . Cameron . Reacher Cast, Character & Book Comparison Guide . Screenrant . February 4, 2022 . February 18, 2022 . February 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220223100828/https://screenrant.com/reacher-show-cast-character-guide-book-comparison/ . live .
  3. Web site: Shunpike . Stan . A Guide To The Cast Of "Reacher" And Their Previous Work . . February 20, 2022 . February 18, 2022 . February 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220220234027/https://www.buzzfeed.com/feynman12/where-have-you-seen-the-cast-of-reacher?origin=web-hf . live .
  4. Web site: Thorne . Will . July 15, 2019 . Amazon to Develop 'Jack Reacher' Series . March 3, 2020 . . March 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200307020312/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/amazon-jack-reacher-series-1203267743/ . live .
  5. Web site: Otterson . Joe . January 14, 2020 . 'Jack Reacher' Series Gets Greenlight at Amazon . March 3, 2020 . Variety . April 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200407045209/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/jack-reacher-series-amazon-1203467003/ . live .
  6. Web site: Marc . Christopher . July 14, 2021 . EXCLUSIVE: 'Rogue' Director M.J. Bassett Joins Amazon's 'Jack Reacher' Series Reboot . December 13, 2021 . The Ronin . December 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213081446/https://theronin.org/2021/07/14/exclusive-rogue-director-m-j-bassett-joins-amazons-jack-reacher-series/ . live .
  7. Web site: White . Peter . February 7, 2022 . 'Reacher' Renewed For Season 2 At Amazon . Deadline Hollywood . February 7, 2022 . April 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409100339/https://deadline.com/2022/02/reacher-renewed-season-2-amazon-1234928214/ . live .
  8. Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . February 12, 2022 . Reacher EP Says 'Wildfire' Response Fueled Quick Renewal, Shares Secrets to Prime Video Hit's Success . TVLine . February 13, 2022 . February 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220213013342/https://tvline.com/2022/02/12/why-reacher-was-renewed-season-2-changes-from-book/ . live .
  9. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . September 4, 2020 . 'Jack Reacher': Alan Ritchson Cast As Title Character In Amazon TV Series . September 5, 2020 . . September 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904233930/https://deadline.com/2020/09/alan-ritchson-cast-jack-reacher-title-character-star-amazon-tv-series-lee-child-adaptation-1234570323/ . live .
  10. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . March 22, 2021 . 'Jack Reacher': Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald & Chris Webster Join Alan Ritchson In Amazon Series . March 23, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood . March 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210323015723/https://deadline.com/2021/03/reacher-malcolm-goodwin-willa-fitzgerald-chris-webster-cast-alan-ritchson-amazon-1234719393/ . live .
  11. Web site: Petski . Denise . May 19, 2021 . 'Reacher': Bruce McGill, Maria Sten, Hugh Thompson Join Alan Ritchson In Amazon Series . June 11, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood . June 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210615172615/https://deadline.com/2021/05/reacher-bruce-mcgill-maria-sten-hugh-thompson-alan-ritchson-amazon-series-1234759869/ . live .
  12. Web site: Petski . Denise . June 11, 2021 . 'Reacher': Kristin Kreuk, Marc Bendavid, Willie C. Carpenter Among 6 Cast In Amazon Series . June 11, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood . June 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210611182553/https://deadline.com/2021/06/reacher-kristin-kreuk-marc-bendavid-willie-c-carpenter-cast-amazon-series-1234773749/ . live .
  13. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . September 14, 2022 . 'Reacher': Shaun Sipos To Star In Season 2 Of Prime Video Series . May 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood . May 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230507182057/https://deadline.com/2022/09/reacher-shaun-sipos-season-2-prime-video-series-1235118731/ . live .
  14. Web site: Petski . Denise . September 21, 2022 . 'Reacher' Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Serinda Swan, Ferdinand Kingsley, Rory Cochrane, More . May 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood . May 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230507182058/https://deadline.com/2022/09/reacher-season-2-cast-serinda-swan-ferdinand-kingsley-rory-cochrane-1235123778/ . live .
  15. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. May 5, 2023. 'Reacher' Recasting: Robert Patrick Replaces Rory Cochrane In Season 2 Of Prime Video Series. May 7, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. May 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230507133647/https://deadline.com/2023/05/reacher-robert-patrick-season-2-recasting-shane-langston-rory-cochrane-replacement-1235357796/. live.
  16. Web site: Petski. Denise. February 8, 2024. 'Reacher' Adds Anthony Michael Hall & Sonya Cassidy To Season 3 Cast. Deadline Hollywood. February 9, 2024. February 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240209055232/https://deadline.com/2024/02/reacher-anthony-michael-hall-sonya-cassidy-season-3-cast-1235819477/amp/. live.
  17. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . March 6, 2024 . 'Expats' Star Brian Tee Among Four Joining Prime Video's 'Reacher' For Season 3. Deadline Hollywood. March 7, 2024. March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240307055232/https://deadline.com/2024/03/brian-tee-prime-video-reacher-season-3-cast-1235847453/amp/. live.
  18. Web site: Lammers . Tim . May 26, 2024 . 'Reacher' Season 3 Set Photo Shows Alan Ritchson's Hulking New Nemesis . forbes.com . June 1, 2024.
  19. Web site: Calis . Kristen . May 10, 2021 . What's Going On Here: More filming of 'Jack Reacher' planned for north Pickering . Pickering News Advertiser . DurhamRegion.com . February 9, 2022 . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905013129/https://smarttag.rubiconproject.com/a/18488/379474/2100766-15.html?&cb=0.27254158398378037&tk_st=1&rf=https%3A//www.durhamregion.com/news/whats-going-on-here-more-filming-of-jack-reacher-planned-for-north-pickering/article_d78cba6c-63ae-5c77-9501-ba7a4baae265.html%3F&rp_s=c&p_pos=btf&p_screen_res=1400x900&ad_slot=379474_15&rp_secure=1 . live .
  20. Web site: Miller . Mira . This is what's filming in Toronto this winter . January 25, 2021 . blogto.com . January 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121143336/https://www.blogto.com/film/2020/12/whats-filming-toronto-winter/ . live .
  21. Web site: Grantham-Philips . Wyatte . February 3, 2022 . 'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson Says He Needed Surgery After On-Set Injury . . February 13, 2022 . February 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220213100312/https://variety.com/2022/scene/news/reacher-alan-ritchson-surgery-1235171568/ . live .
  22. Lawrence . Derek . December 2, 2021 . Alan Ritchson sizes up Jack Reacher in first look at Amazon series . December 2, 2021 . . February 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220204073811/https://ew.com/tv/reacher-first-look-alan-ritchson-lee-child/ . live .
  23. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Reacher' Season 2 Trailer: Jack Reacher Is Out To Catch A Killer; Premiere Date Set. Deadline Hollywood. November 7, 2023. November 7, 2023. November 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231107145354/https://deadline.com/2023/11/reacher-season-2-trailer-premiere-date-prime-video-1235594869/. live.
  24. Maas . Jennifer . March 11, 2022 . Reacher Becomes First Amazon TV Series to Top Nielsen SVOD Rankings . . March 11, 2022 . March 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311203055/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/reacher-ratings-premiere-viewership-nielsen-1235202103/ . live .
  25. reacher. Reacher. tv. 1. December 14, 2023.
  26. reacher. Reacher. tv. 1. February 1, 2022.
  27. Web site: Lucy Mangan . February 4, 2022 . Reacher review – the house-sized action hero Tom Cruise will never be . . February 8, 2022 . February 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208200723/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/04/reacher-review-lee-child-jack-reacher-adaptation-amazon-prime-video . live .
  28. Web site: Hogan . Michael . February 4, 2022 . Reacher, review: Lee Child fans can rejoice – Alan Ritchson rights the wrongs of Tom Cruise . . February 8, 2022 . February 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208200722/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/reacher-review-lee-child-fans-can-rejoice-alan-ritchson-rights/ . live .
  29. Web site: Alston . Joshua . February 3, 2022 . 'Reacher' Is a Brutal Thriller With a Void at its Center: TV Review . . February 8, 2022 . February 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208202934/https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/reacher-amazon-prime-video-1235171424/ . live .
  30. Web site: Fienberg . Daniel . February 1, 2022 . Amazon's 'Reacher': TV Review . . February 8, 2022 . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019071358/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/reacher-review-1235084630/ . live .
  31. reacher. Reacher. tv. 2. December 31, 2023.
  32. reacher. Reacher. tv. 2. December 29, 2023.
  33. Web site: Kain . Erik . Reacher' Season 2 Is Now Officially One Of The Worst Shows On TV . . 20 January 2024 . January 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120140244/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2024/01/07/reacher-season-2-is-now-officially-one-of-the-worst-shows-on-tv/?sh=2b8601af2168 . live .