Coming in Hot: Alan Ritchson in Prime Video’s Breakout Hit ‘Reacher’
Q&A
Welcome to the 2022 Hot List, our 31 reasons our screens are sizzling right now, including the new NCIS boss, the return of Bridgerton, and our current favorite action series: Reacher!
When the action-thriller Reacher premiered in February, justice-seeking ex–army investigator Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson, Titans) pounded his way through bad guys…and landed at the top of the ratings charts. The show, adapted from the same Lee Child book series as the Tom Cruise–led films, became Prime Video’s most streamed program in a single week. A lot of the credit goes to its humble star, who embodies a gargantuan 6-foot-5 hero trying to solve a grisly murder case in a seemingly sleepy Georgia town.
Ritchson goes toe-to-toe with TV Guide Magazine for a no-holds-barred chat.
Reacher is described as Sasquatch, and 250 pounds of frontier justice with hands the size of dinner plates. What’s your favorite descriptor?
Alan Ritchson: I think you’ve named them! The deeper into the books you get, the more hostile Lee Child becomes to Reacher. “He’s difficult to look at.” “He’s got a face smashed by two-by-fours.” And Lee’s gone on and on [in interviews] about how perfectly cast I am, and then he says, “He’s such a nerd.… Alan’s perfect for this.” Great. I’m an ugly, face-smashed-by-two-by-fours nerd. Lee, you’ve made your point!
There are some pretty crazy stunts in this show. How much of them did you do?
I love to fight. I love to get in these scenes and be physical. I’m arguing with producers all the time about their concerns and whether insurance will cover whatever happens. I don’t care. You hired me to play Reacher. I’m doing it. I’m going to jump over the fire escape with nothing below and just do it.
Brian Higbee/Amazon Studios
Are there any qualities you share with Reacher?
I can’t stand by and watch an injustice happen. I saw somebody break into a car once, and my wife was like, “Please don’t chase him.” I was like, “I gotta go.” I take off and I find him hiding under a car and I drag him out and hold him there.
Reacher has been renewed for Season 2. What can you tell us?
Season 1 was a slow burn. Season 2 begins with Reacher shot out of a cannon, and we’re in the thick of it right away.
All Reacher wants is a bite of peach pie. Was there any actual peach pie on set?
There were hundreds. I showed a ton of self-restraint, because I never took a bite. I thought, “Let me honor the fact that Reacher is being denied what he wants.” So, the first time I took a bite was that scene at the end in [the diner]. That was the worst peach pie I’ve ever had in my life.
Oh, no!
So when he’s asked “How was it?” there’s no acting involved—it legitimately sucked. “I’ve had better,” I say as Reacher. Because I have had better.
Reacher, Season 2, TBA, Prime Video
Conversation21 Comments
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B
This was the best series ever! Cannot wait for season two. And this actor made everything perfect. Did not like it with Tom Cruise
32 3
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G
I kind of like him. He actually grew on me during the season. Anyway you shape it, he’s a whole heck of a lot better than Tom Cruise
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P
Different strokes, I guess. He couldn't lure me out of a burning building. Cruise at least has a personality. This guy is a statue.
3 2
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P
I can’t imagine why Tom cruise played this part …
11 1
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R
Probably because of his draw at the box office. At the time I thought, if they were going to disregard the height issue. that Nic Cage would be better.
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P
I believe I read somewhere that Tom Cruise was the producer, so of course he wanted to play the lead roll in those early Reacher movies. So disappointing. He's such a little, scrawny guy-not like the Reacher character at all.
7 1
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O
He bought the rights and was the producer.
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O
We loved it!!! Can’t wait for season two
10 2
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R
Great casting. No nonsense, no emotion. Love it. Can't wait for season 2. Don't make us wait again.
9 2
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G
I think I’ve read - or listened to - every Jack Reacher novel. Ritchson embodies the character perfectly with one exception; he’s too good-looking for the book version of Reacher. In the books, Reacher’s looks scare people, he’s not a handsome guy. But, that said, I loved this new series. Great acting throughout by everyone. Can’t wait for the next one.
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G
It was great, when will season 2, season 3, etc. come out. Dates please
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B
I can’t wait for Season 2! I think Alan is 100% Reacher he is the quiet giant. Alan being so handsome is a definite plus. Just look at those beautiful eyes.
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C
I have read 9 of the Lee Child Reacher series and can’t think of an actor who better fills the Reacher boots. This is an excellent rendition of the first book. A few things are changed (in the book Reacher kills the old man, not the son) but it really doesn’t affect the end result. In the books, Reacher is actually more brutal than in this series.
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G
I loved the first season and look forward the the next and hope there are many more seasons
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O
Love him. I told my 6'4" son you walk and look about like him. He already knew all he's been in. His friends spent there college nights
watching Smallville.
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G
I’ve waiting a looonnng time. Tom Cruise disappoints. AR rocks it!!!
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O
I'm sorry, but I can't watch this because I can't get past the casting. He's nothing like the Reacher in my mind. He's not handsome, charismatic or intriguing. He's too musclebound and looks like an angry brute. My vision of Reacher, if the books came out decades ago would have been Clint Eastwood, sexy but menacing in a quiet way.
5 13
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G
Wow! Exactly. I can think of half a dozen better choices just from the Hallmark channel's leading men, Kris Polaha, Luke McFarlane and Ryan McPartlin come to mind. Handsome, sexy and well over 6 ft..
4 3
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G
Yeah. This guy is part of a current trend toward unattractive, musclebound hulks like John Cena and Channing Tatum. I don't get it.
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O
Because if you read the books, that is exactly what Reacher is. He is not a pretty boy. Lee Child’s is really the only opinion that matters here. It’s his character, not the one every reader has in their mind’s eye!
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G
Have you read the books?
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