The Reacher cast explains why season 3 is the biggest yet

Few television shows make a more compelling argument that bigger truly is better than Prime Video's action-packed series, Reacher. Adapted from Lee Child’s best-selling book series, the story centers around the towering ex-military drifter Jack Reacher, portrayed by Alan Ritchson. As he travels from town to town, Reacher dispenses his unique brand of street justice, taking down one villain after another with a blend of strength and cunning. With its third season now streaming on Prime Video, the show raises the stakes even higher, delivering more pulse-pounding excitement, suspenseful plots, and dynamic new characters that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Alan Ritchson's portrayal of Jack Reacher has become a phenomenon on the small screen, captivating audiences with his rugged charm. Recently renewed for a fourth season, Reacher has made waves in the streaming world, achieving an astounding milestone as the most-watched returning season in Prime Video's history. Within 19 days of its release, Reacher Season 3 garnered an impressive 54.6 million viewers worldwide. Reacher Season 2 also emerged as Prime Video’s most-viewed release in 2023, showcasing its immense popularity. All previous seasons are available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

For Ritchson, Reacher’s success reflects his character's magnetic appeal and the show's captivating nature, solidifying its place as a beloved staple in modern television.

“There’s some kind of magical lens that people see Reacher through, where they see themselves,” Ritchson said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a 90-year-old woman or an 18-year-old guy; somehow, we see ourselves in Reacher’s world.”

Brian Tee (Expats) joins the cast in Season Three as Quinn, a shadowy new character from Reacher’s past in the Army. Tee is fascinated by the show, especially how Reacher represents the classic action hero archetype.

“I think he’s the hero we all want,” Tee said. “It’s the action, the groundedness, the charm—it’s not just about being brooding, but also about being intellectual. I think all of that wrapped into one is what audiences gravitate towards.”

Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club), another new addition to the cast as the sinister businessman Zachary Beck, agrees that the show’s wholehearted embrace of the action genre has been key to its popularity.

“There’s great action, great conflict, and great pacing. This is a hero’s journey,” Hall said. “Working with HAQM was incredible—they provide all the resources you need. We had a top-notch crew across the board. We all felt like we were doing a big blockbuster.”

Sonya Cassidy, who portrays DEA agent Susan Duffy, believes that the show's overarching message of good versus evil is particularly compelling in today's uncertain world.

“The appeal of watching a character with such a clear sense of right and wrong and justice, one who does anything they can to make things right and get the bad guys, is very satisfying,” Cassidy said. “Reacher is entertaining and just pure fun, thrilling escapism right now.”

Her sentiment reinforces why audiences look for television shows like Reacher to unwind in their free time. According to the Elevating Everyday Moments report from HAQM Ads, 71% of consumers agree that entertainment improves their quality time experience, and 35% say they seek escapism from their free hours.

Reacher is just one of the many acclaimed shows and movies audiences love on Prime Video. In November 2024, Prime Video debuted the crime thriller series Cross, based on the James Patterson novel of the same name. The show netted 40 million viewers in its first three weeks, making it the third-best series premiere for Prime Video that year. Prime Video has also found major success in expanding to genres like live sports; their exclusive season of Thursday Night Football for the Fall 2024 season was the most watched in the show’s 19-year history. In the past year, HAQM MGM Studios has earned dozens of award nominations and wins across the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Emmys.

Looking ahead at the rest of 2025, Prime Video has an exciting lineup of forthcoming original shows and movies, including G20 starring Viola Davis and the Nicole Kidman mystery Holland. HAQM Ads helps advertisers reach millions of viewers worldwide through Streaming TV ads in Prime Video content. HAQM Ads offers powerful ad tech solutions, informed by trillions of first-party streaming, shopping, and browsing signals that make it easier for brands to drive results across the planning and activation stages of their streaming campaigns.

This means brands can connect with audiences through the content they love, like Reacher, which offers not just big action, but a whole lot more.

Maria Sten, who has portrayed the character Frances Neagley—Reacher’s closest confidante—since the first season, believes that the show's appeal goes beyond its physical strength or action. Instead, she argues that its sense of humor is the greatest attraction.

“It harkens back to these wonderful ‘80s action films that we all loved, and with that in mind, I think the secret sauce in Reacher is the humor,” Sten said. “It's got a sense of humor, and that levity, even though it's a brutal show in many ways, makes it a fun watch. It's something that everyone can engage with, and I think that's been satisfying to see.”