The global smash-hit Reacher continues to stand out as one of the most popular shows on Prime Video. The show’s third season, which premiered earlier this year, set records as the streaming platform’s most-watched returning series ever. However, despite its viewership numbers, Reacher doesn’t have any major award nominations or wins under its belt. It’s one of the most positively received shows currently airing, including a 96% cumulative critical rating across seasons on Rotten Tomatoes, yet it doesn’t benefit from any major awards prestige, like other popular dramas. Frankly, that’s just fine. Reacher might not be an HBO-level television series, but that works to its benefit.
‘Reacher’ Is One of Television’s Best Action Shows

Image via Prime Video

Since 24 went off the air, there have been few shows that can step up to the plate to fill the void left in terms of action spectacle. Reacher is one of the few titles since 24 ended that scratches that uniquely contemporary, grounded story itch. Alan Ritchson, through his amazing performance as Jack Reacher, has developed into one of the most dynamic action heroes of the 21st century. While Tom Cruise came close with his performance in the Jack Reacher movie, Ritchson’s version skillfully fulfills the protagonist’s potential from the Lee Child novels. Reacher may not be touted as a “prestige” drama, but its blend of action, drama, and stellar production values puts it on par with many of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed shows on any network or streaming platform. What Reacher lacks in terms of prestige compared to its contemporaries, it makes up for with pure entertainment, suspense, and action spectacle.

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‘Reacher’ Provides Viewers With an Aspirational Action Hero

Looking back over the last several years of TV, most “prestige” dramas have lacked the type of action hero that Reacher represents. Whether it’s the Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon, Succession, Landman, or Yellowstone, today’s television landscape features lead characters operating in morally gray areas. Many times, protagonists commit reprehensible or amoral acts. Arguably, that’s a greater reflection of real life, but maybe that’s why Reacher is so successful. The show offers viewers a morally upstanding hero who is less conflicted about his actions — someone who always strives to do what’s right. Reacher does cater to more adult viewers, perhaps some who feel they have outgrown the onslaught of comic book adaptations on the big and small screen. While Reacher is a less fantastical version of those characters, wearing thrifted jeans, T-shirts, and jackets instead of capes and elaborate costumes, he still feels superpowered in his own right. He also vanquishes his enemies, but his antagonists are always portrayed as unequivocally evil people who deserve their comeuppance. Those aspects position Reacher as a contemporary action-adventure show that practically doubles as a modern-day superhero series.
‘Reacher’ Striving for Prestige Acclaim Would Likely Ruin Its Vibe

Image via Sophie Giraud/Prime

Reacher may not be considered a prestige drama such as The Crown or Succession, but it is no less relevant. Few great action-adventure shows perform their job as well as Reacher, making its role in the TV landscape crucially important. Moreover, it would probably ruin the vibe of the show if Reacher focused more on character-based drama and moral conflicts. The series usually finds its drama through the storyline centering around Reacher and his allies, even if it tends to follow a predictable formula. The villains are seldom conflicted about their actions, and every season always ends with Reacher confronting and beating his enemies. If Reacher were more of a prestige drama, it also wouldn’t be as action-packed. A huge part of the series’ appeal centers around its fight sequences, with Ritchson performing many of his own stunts and fight choreography. This allows the production to focus more on Ritchson during the action scenes without having to frequently cut around him. Prestige dramas might have scenes of suspense or action throughout a season, but Reacher usually boasts at least one or two per episode. Downplaying those aspects in search of larger critical acclaim would hurt the show that audiences have already come to love. For now, Reacher fans are patiently waiting for the show’s fourth season, which Ritchson recently revealed will be based on Child’s novel, Gone Tomorrow. Unfortunately, the wait will be a little longer for Season 4 as Prime Video is set to first debut the Reacher franchise’s first spin-off series, Neagley. However, fans will still be able to get a bit of a Reacher fix from the spin-off, as Ritchson will reprise his role alongside Maria Sten, who now takes the lead in her own show as the eponymous Frances Neagley. Neagley currently doesn’t have a release date, but the show will launch later on Prime Video. In the meantime, all three seasons of Reacher are available now on the streamer.

Reacher

Release Date

February 3, 2022

Network

Prime Video

Showrunner

Nick Santora

Directors

Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent

Writers

Cait Duffy