In Just 3 Seasons, Alan Ritchson’s ‘Reacher’ Completely Rewrites a Major Action TV Problem

As the wait continues for the next season of Reacher as well as its Neagley spin-off, it's a good time to reflect on some of the most interesting qualities of the flagship show’s eponymous hero, played by Alan Ritchson. Looking at Lee Child's original literary version of the character, it's striking how well he avoids the broken man cliché. Rather than serving as a tortured and psychologically damaged hero, which tends to define so many protagonists in action movies and TV shows, Reacher's defining characteristics include stability and confidence in his principles.

Jack Reacher Isn't a Stereotypical Tortured Action Hero

From the very first episode of Reacher, Ritchson deftly captures how the show's title character has a strong sense of himself and his goals, which is consistent with the character in the books. The Prime Video series is set shortly after Reacher has left the military, living a simple existence as a nomadic drifter. A pragmatist to a fault, Reacher has few ties to a home, a family, or even a place to put down roots. For Reacher, true freedom is the ability to travel America at his leisure, no longer having to answer to anyone but himself. As Reacher explains to Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) in the show's first episode, "I had a home base my whole life. Grew up in the military. Worked in the military. Now I see my country on my own terms."

There's something very simple, yet highly aspirational, about Reacher's "interesting approach to life," as Conklin refers to it. He doesn't need material wealth or expensive things. All of Reacher's expenses are covered by his military pension, so he never has to worry about bills, a mortgage, debt, or insurance premiums. Beyond his modest approach to creature comforts, Reacher's self-assurance stands out among his fascinating traits, as the character harbors no doubts about his lifestyle or personal values.

Jack Reacher Is Driven by a Strong Moral Code

Many action heroes typically fall into the category of being tortured by their pasts. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), in the original Lethal Weapon, grows unstable and erratic after the loss of his wife. In the X-Men franchise, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is frequently tormented by his fragmented memories alongside a violent past — and the less said aboutKeanu Reeves' John Wick, the better. While Reacher has grappled with his previous failures, particularly concerning the murders of his former protégé, Dominique Kohl (Mariah Robinson), and his brother, Joe Reacher (Christopher Russell), those events don't define him. Instead, Reacher is driven by a strong moral code and the values instilled in him by his mother, who taught him to use his impressive strength to do the right thing.

Even when Reacher navigates emotional memories about Dominique, Joe, or his former team in the 110th Division of the Military Police, he doesn't fall into extreme distress or grief. These moments prove that he can compartmentalize those events of his past, and while these losses are significant, they don’t singularly drive him. Instead, Reacher refuses to sit idly by if he witnesses injustice towards even total strangers, despite claiming he doesn't like to get involved in others' business. He doesn't hesitate to utilize force, and he's never conflicted about killing another human being if he believes they deserve it.

Reacher Is a Tough Action Hero Who Still Manages To Be Relatable

Part of what makes Reacher so compelling as an action hero is that he's immutable and incorruptible. He enjoys simple pleasures, and he's become a creature of habit, but he's still willing to stand up to any wrongdoing. Ritchson brings a refreshing style to his performance, portraying Reacher as an immovable object and unstoppable force given flesh and blood. The fact that Reacher embodies and carries out his beliefs so strongly only elevates his characterization.

Despite Reacher's nigh-unstoppable physicality in the heat of battle, Ritchson still imbues the character with relatability through his closer relationships. Although Reacher sometimes looks superhuman when he's fighting villains, his more personal side offers a glimpse at his emotional depths. It'll be interesting to see how the show's upcoming return and its Neagley spin-off, where Reacher will also appear, will further develop the hero that fans have spent the last three seasons with.