Ever since debuting in 2022, Jack Reacher novels. Currently, there are 29 books in the long-running series. Three of these books, The Killing Floor, Bad Luck and Trouble, and Persuader, have been adapted for the series. Since its very first episode, Reacher has been an action-packed series, and Alan Ritchson has thrived in the titular role. Now that the third season of the series has concluded, now is the perfect time to rank Reacher's three seasons.
All three seasons of Reacher are very distinct from each other, but each follow the former military officer as he uncovers criminal conspiracies across the United States. The recently released third season Reacher season 4 will enter production this summer and is expected to be released in 2026. However, before updates on season 4 start rolling in, here's the first three seasons of Reacher, ranked:
3 Jack Reacher Works With The 110th Special Investigators In Reacher Season 2
Season 2 Premiered In December 2023
Reacher season 2 is based on Bad Luck and Trouble and follows Jack Reacher after he gets ed by Neagley, who informs him that a member of the 110th Special Investigations unit has been murdered. In the show's first season, a lot of details about Reacher's past is unknown, but through flashbacks, season 2 reveals a lot more about the character. While Reacher is typically viewed as a loner, this season reveals that he actually once led a team of highly skilled soldiers.
This season does need to be applauded for deepening the bond between Reacher and Neagley.
Season 2 specifically focuses on four of the 110th Special Investigations unit: Karla Dixon, David O'Donnell, Neagley, and of course, Reacher. Throughout Reacher season 2, Jack Reacher and his allies team up to uncover a conspiracy surrounding New Age, a technology company, and a mysterious arms dealer. While Karla, David, Neagley, and Reacher all have great chemistry with each other, it doesn't compare to the chemistry between the central characters in the first season.
In addition to working with Karla, Reacher also forms a romantic connection with her. Since they have similar backgrounds, they are a good match, but once again, their chemistry can't compare to Reacher and Roscoe's in season 1. However, this season does need to be applauded for deepening the bond between Reacher and Neagley. Now that Neagley is receiving her own spinoff, her prominent role in this season certainly makes it stand out.
Reacher Season 3 Just Confirmed How Neagley's Spinoff Will Be Different To The Main Show
With just one action sequence, Reacher season 3's episode 6 seems to have established how the Neagley spin-off will be different from the main series.
However, while it does have some positives, Reacher season 2 is widely regarded as the worst season of the series. Overall, the villains, the action, and the ing characters in Reacher season 2 just can't compare to the show's first and third seasons. While it is definitely not terrible and still includes some thrilling action sequences, Reacher season 2 is undoubtedly the weakest entry in the series.
2 Jack Reacher Uncovers A Mystery In A Small Town In Reacher Season 1
Season 1 Premiered In February 2022
The first season of the Prime Video series had the tough task of introducing audiences to Jack Reacher, who can be quite a complex and mysterious character. This season wisely adapts The Killing Floor, the first novel in the long-running Jack Reacher book series. In season 1, Reacher works with police officers in the small town of Margrave, Georgia after he discovers that his brother was murdered.
Margrave is still arguably the best setting in the entire series.
Almost everyone in Margrave is suspicious of Reacher, except for Roscoe and Finlay, who quickly learn to trust him. A discussion about Reacher season 1 can't be had without talking about Roscoe and Finlay, who are still the two best ing characters of the entire series. Finlay is the chief of detectives in Margrave, but is still constantly left out of the loop and is suspicious of his superiors. This leads to him relying on Reacher for help.
Meanwhile, Reacher and Roscoe have an instant connection that develops throughout the course of the season. Out of all of Reacher's love interests, Roscoe is the one that fans still want to return. Whenever Reacher talks to Karla or Duffy about their connections in the show's second and third seasons, I can't help but think of Roscoe, which proves that she is the most notable love interest of the entire series. In addition to this, Roscoe is also a great police officer and is instrumental to Reacher uncovering the mystery.
Reacher Season 3's Roscoe Replacement Is Different In 1 Big Way, But I'm Still Not Convinced
Susan Duffy becomes Jack Reacher's love interest in Reacher season 3, and while she differs from season 1's Roscoe, something isn't quite lining up.
Even though some of the action, such as the season finale battle in the burning warehouse, doesn't have the best choreography, Reacher season 1 is still a great season of television. Margrave is still arguably the best setting in the entire series, and it was satisfying watching Reacher uncover the mystery surrounding his brother's death. Overall, Reacher season 1 is great, but it just doesn't match the highs of the show's third season.
1 Jack Reacher Goes Undercover While Seeking Revenge In Reacher Season 3
Season 3 Premiered In February 2025
After the first two seasons had many highs, but also some lows, it finally feels like the series has hit its stride with Reacher season 3. The newest season of Reacher is based on Persuader and follows Jack Reacher after he gets recruited to go undercover as one of Zachary Beck's security guards to save Susan Duffy's confidential informant. In addition to saving Teresa, Reacher is also seeking revenge against Xavier Quinn in the show's third season.
Reacher going undercover in season 3 successfully changed the traditional formula of the series.
Xavier Quinn, also known by his alias Julius McCabe, is by far the most terrifying villain in the entire series. Years before the events of season 3, Quinn brutally murdered Dominique Kohl, Reacher's first protégé. While Reacher was seeking revenge for the death of his brother in the show's first season, his mission in season 3 definitely feels like his most personal mission yet. This is one of the reasons why Reacher season 3 is stronger than season 1, since it ensures that viewers absolutely despise Quinn.
In addition to Quinn, season 3 also introduces Paulie, who is the most formidable opponent that Reacher has ever faced. Paulie is bigger and stronger than Reacher, which is something that he's not used to. The fight between Reacher and Paulie in the season 3 finale is not only the best fight in the series, but also one of the most intense fights in TV history. This fight and many other moments prove that Reacher season 3 significantly amped up the action. This was amazing to see, since some of the action in the first two seasons was underwhelming.
Reacher's Near-Death Experience In Season 3 Has A Deeper Meaning You Probably Didn't Realize
A closer look at Jack Reacher's near-death experience in Reacher season 3's ending story arc reveals that it is far deeper than it initially seems.
While they aren't quite as good as Roscoe and Finlay, Reacher season 3 also includes great ing characters. Susan Duffy, Villanueva, Richard Beck, and Zachary Beck are all amazing characters that help Reacher as he seeks vengeance. Overall, Reacher going undercover in season 3 successfully changed the traditional formula of the series, making it the most exciting season yet. Hopefully future seasons of Reacher can match, and potentially sur, the quality that was on display in season 3.
Reacher
- Release Date
- February 3, 2022
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Nick Santora
Cast
Jack Reacher
Maria Stens Neagley
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
- Cait Duffy
- Franchise(s)
- Jack Reacher
- Creator(s)
- Nick Santora
Your comment has not been saved