Prime Video is planning to expand one of its popular shows even further.
There’s talk that the streaming service is quickly moving forward with a new Reacher spinoff, which will focus on Frances Neagley, a member of Reacher’s old Army unit, the 110th MP Special Investigations Unit.
Maria Sten, known for her roles in Swamp Thing and Channel Zero, has portrayed Neagley in both seasons of Reacher that have aired so far. She is set to return for the upcoming third season, even though her character doesn’t appear in the original book by Lee Child, Persuader, which I just started reading. Sten will lead the new Neagley series, according to Deadline.
Amazon has remained silent on these spinoff rumors. (Or as Lee Child might put it, “Prime Video said nothing.”)
Frances Neagley, like Jack Reacher, is known by her last name. She left the Army as a Master Sergeant and now works for a private security firm. She also has haptephobia, a fear of being touched. This made it quite significant last season when she held and comforted someone who had been fatally shot while protecting a young girl.
Sten reflected on that scene: “It’s a moment where she knows this person is going to leave this Earth,” she said. “And in this moment, he needs connection.”
She added, “When she sees this man give up his life to save this child, there’s a moment where she feels the need to give whatever he needs in this moment of closeness. Also, I think Neagley doesn’t ever truly feel safe, which is why she doesn’t let people close. So, in this moment she feels safe because she sees [the dying character] in a real, vulnerable way.”
Fans just love how successful Reacher has been for Prime Video.
The show has done incredibly well for Prime Video. It was renewed for Season 2 just three days after its premiere. When the first three episodes of Season 2 were released, they racked up 1.7 billion minutes viewed according to Nielsen ratings, making it the top streaming original that week.
Nicholas Wootton, who previously worked with Reacher showrunner Nick Santora on Prison Break for Fox, is reportedly helping develop the Neagley series and would be co-showrunner if it gets picked up.
This new direction could bring even more excitement for fans of the Reacher universe!
