One of the most talked about television shows in recent years has got to be Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novel series in “Reacher” – which aired its very first season exactly two years ago and has developed a cult following thanks to its approach of one man striving to make a difference and fighting against corrupt officials, lawmen, and those aiming to exploit honest individuals for their own personal gain. Starring Alan Ritchson in the titular role, the series focuses on a drifter and former U.S. Army military police officer who uses his skills to pursue justice – teaming up with like-minded allies as well as battling against formidable foes whom he crosses paths with in his travels.
Thanks to Prime Video Philippines, I was able to catch a sneak peek of the newest season of the series with “Reacher Season 3” – with Ritchson reprising his role as Jack Reacher as he goes undercover and meets an old adversary he has a decades old score to settle with. Through sheer will and intensity, Jack is led into more intense situations where he’ll have to use both brains and brawn to overcome new threats that come his way. These are represented in the form of the new cast members joining the show in Brian Tee and Olivier Richters – who play Francis Xavier Quinn and Paulie van Hoven respectively and have their own personal scores to settle with the former military man.
From Skydance Television, Amazon MGM Studios and CBS Studios, Reacher Season 3 is based on Persuader, the seventh book in Lee Child’s internationally best-selling Jack Reacher series—a fan-favorite installment that delivers a gripping tale of revenge, intrigue, and justice.
This season follows Reacher as he goes undercover to rescue an informant held by a haunting foe from his past. A chance encounter with an old adversary reawakens his obsession with settling a decade-long score, leading him into increasingly dire straits as he risks everything to achieve justice.
Alan Ritchson reprises his role as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten returning as Frances Neagley. Joining the cast this season are Anthony Michael Hall, Sonya Cassidy, Brian Tee, Johnny Berchtold, Robert Montesinos, Daniel David Stewart, and Olivier Richters.
During a virtual press conference with the two actors, I got to ask a couple of questions regarding their roles and what they were bringing to the table for the latest season of Reacher.
Q: What were the challenges bringing these characters to life, and what will the impact be for this season of Reacher?
Brian Tee: I think the impact is definitely the mystery. There are almost three separate storylines coming together and Reacher has to figure out all of them at once in that context. It really elevates the other seasons.
His formidable foes are a lot different. You have Olivier and myself, and what I enjoy about Quinn is that he’s a bit of a mastermind and he outwits and outsmarts Reacher in certain circumstances. Reacher is built as this big and brawny guy, but we all know he’s extremely smart and intellectual – and to play that intellectual fight with him is going to be really incredible to see.
Olivier: Reacher is smart and strong and that’s why he wins every season so far. Now we have one person (gestures to Brian Tee) who outraces his smartness and another (gestures to himself) who outraces the physical part. How he’s going to handle that both, that’s what people will see. For my character it’s an amazing build up between two characters of irritation, so you’ve seen some in the trailer that’s going to happen between the two. We’re going to look forward to that.
Q: I’m sure you guys prepared a lot of time training, doing research, and studying tech to embody those characters that you play. Could you tell me about that and did you have to learn anything new?
Olivier: I read the book, and they made the scenes bigger for Paulie (in the show) and I’m very thankful for that. Sometimes the scenes are very short in the book and they expanded it – like the arm wrestling scene which you see online.
Paulie in the book is even more scary than I ever thought. He’s such a psycho that they (the showrunners) told me to bring it one notch down or else it will be a 21+ series *chuckles*. So I had a great discussion with the director on how far can I bring it, so all the preparation I had to do included all the fight training I had to do.
Brian Tee: Yeah same! I read the book and I’m a big Lee Childs fan. I think what I love about Nick Santora our showrunner and creator is he just elevates it off the page. He gets his cast of characters and his ideas and just lets us fly and really move around within it.
What I love about Quinn is that he’s so calculating, and if there was something I learned more is that I really delved back – because Quinn and Reacher’s history goes back maybe 10+ years, and within that context I really studied the military dynamics of it all, so that’s something new that I learned in this season.
Olivier: Me too. I had to learned the shotgun and other stuff, it was really great.
Q: For my final question, any teases you’d like to convey to the Reacher fans – especially the ones here in Manila like myself?
Brian Tee: *laughs* I think we’re biased. Best season of Reacher yet for sure! Like we talked about earlier, I think these are his ultimate foes – we got the best 1-2 punch villain duo on the planet, and that’s going to be one of the biggest things Reacher’s going to have to tackle this season for sure.
Olivier: I got casted in after seeing Season 1 and 2 as a fan, so I feel I can really judge what I have seen from Season 3 and it’s going to be better than Season 1 absolutely. But I think with all the trailers that have been shown, people will believe I’m not lying – the 20th of February will be historical for Amazon and it will hit the record for the most views ever. At least I hope so *chuckles*.
Brian: Shout out to the Philippines!
With that the interview with Brian and Olivier ended, and I was left excited on what to expect for the latest season of Reacher – which streams exclusively on Prime Video! Big thanks to Prime Video PH for letting me interview and meet these two wonderful and amazing actors who will no doubt present a challenge to Alan Ritchson this season!
Reacher Season 3 is now streaming on Prime Video PH!
