Prime Video Working on REACHER Spinoff. It’ll Follow This Character.
By Movieguide® Contributor
Looking to capitalize on the massive success of REACHER, Prime Video has ordered a new show in the universe that follows Frances Neagley.
Neagley, played by Maria Sten, is a minor character in the Jack Reacher book series who has been further developed by the show. The first season, for example, was based on the book The Killing Floor which does not feature Neagley. In the show, however, she made multiple appearances.
Season 2 of REACHER further cemented her importance to the universe as she graduated from her guest star role, becoming Reacher’s full-blown sidekick. When it was announced the third season would be based on the book Persuader, it was emphasized that Neagley return, despite not being a part of that book either.
The spinoff is being developed by REACHER executive producer Nick Santora, who developed the original show, along with executive producer Nicholas Wootton. The show is set to be produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Skydance Television and CBS Studios.
Maria Sten will reprise her role as Neagely, and Alan Ritchson is expected to make appearances as Reacher as well. Nothing is known about the plot.
REACHER has been one of Prime Video’s most successful shows, captivating millions through its first two seasons. The show received approval for a third season before the second one was released and grew its audience by 50% after the second season had been released for only three days. During its debut weekend last December, REACHER was the most streamed title on Prime Video across the platform’s TV and movie offerings.
Unfortunately, the show is fueled by violence and marred by foul language despite promoting strong morals and a patriotic worldview. Nonetheless, the show’s star, Alan Ritchson — a Christian — believes the show helps lead people to Christ by causing them to ask themselves existential questions.
Movieguide® previously reported:
After facing backlash for playing the titular character in REACHER, Alan Ritchson explains how he takes on non-Christian roles to spread the Gospel.
“I love playing Reacher. I love telling this story. I love playing a character who creates a kind of moral ambiguity that we should struggle against as we consider whether or not what he’s doing is good all the time or morally right,” Ritchson said in a YouTube video.
“A lot of people, supposed Christians especially, criticize me for playing Reacher as if the only TV that should exist is seeing people silently folding their hands in the pew of a church. I mean, what kinds of stories are we supposed to tell?” he continued. “If we look at scripture, what do you find? You see a thousand years of an infinitely holy God holding tension with human beings as He tells the story of who He is.”
“[God] reveals who He is through an imperfect people, so we get stories of paganism and war and bloodshed and ghost stories, mysticism,” he explained. “We see miracles and magic; we see life and resurrection and death; and we see this incredible canvas where God is completely unafraid to tell the story of who He is through less than morally ambiguous characters: through pure evil sometimes.”
