Amazon Eyes Reacher Spinoff — Who Will Star?

Prime Video is planning to expand its universe of one of its most popular series.

The streaming platform is reportedly fast-tracking a potential spinoff for Reacher, focusing on another member of the main character’s former Army unit, the 110th MP Special Investigations Unit — Frances Neagley.

Maria Sten, known for her roles in Swamp Thing and Channel Zero, has portrayed Neagley in both seasons of Reacher that have aired. She will also appear in the upcoming third season, despite her character not being part of the source material, Lee Child’s Persuader. According to Deadline, Sten would be the lead in the Neagley series.

Amazon has declined to comment on the spinoff news. (Or as Lee Child might put it, “Prime Video said nothing.”)

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Neagley, much like Jack Reacher, goes by her last name. She exited the Army as a Master Sergeant and now works for a private security firm. Neagley suffers from haptephobia, a fear of being touched. This condition made it particularly significant when she held and comforted a person who had been fatally shot while heroically protecting a young girl.

Revisiting that powerful scene, Sten told TVLine, “It’s a moment where she knows this person is going to leave this Earth, and in this moment, he needs connection.”

“When she sees this man give up his life to save this child, there’s a moment where she feels the need to provide whatever he needs in this final moment of closeness,” Sten continued. “Also, I think Neagley never truly feels safe, which is why she doesn’t allow people to get too close. So, in this moment she feels a sense of safety because she sees the dying character in a raw, vulnerable state.”

Reacher has been a significant hit for Prime Video, earning a Season 2 renewal just three days after its premiere. The first three episodes of Season 2, led by Alan Ritchson, amassed 1.7 billion viewing minutes according to Nielsen, dominating the week’s rankings of streaming originals.

Nicholas Wootton, who has previously collaborated with Reacher showrunner Nick Santora on Fox’s Prison Break, is reportedly helping to develop the Neagley spinoff and would serve as co-showrunner if the series gets the green light.

Source: Deadline, TVLine