While waiting forReacherseason 3, there are still plenty of similar series that can scratch the itch of fans awaiting the show’s return. Reacher took TV audiences by storm when it premiered in 2022. The first two seasons of the show aired to strong reviews that highlighted the fun of the show as well as strong viewership on Prime Video. That success has now led to the release ofReacherseason 3, which will followPersuader, the third bookin theJack Reacherseries.
The series has been a bona fide star turn for lead Alan Ritchson, who plays the titular loner with a deadpan gravitas and a hulking swagger that has endeared him to fans of the books. Jack Reacher may be the Mary Sue of action-thriller protagonists, a man of such specialized hypercompetence as to occasionally not be believable. Still, he’s a heck of a lot of fun to watch as he tracks down his enemies and beats them into submission. While fans dive into the fun ofReacherseason 3’s story, a few other TV shows can be ideal to watch at the same time.
The show that helped make Idris Elba a star following his acclaimed turn onThe Wire, Lutheris a hardboiled British detective show with a stoic, brilliant, and complicated protagonist at its center. Elba stars as John Luther, a London detective who is known for two things; cracking cases and pushing the boundaries of the law. The show follows him as he investigates various grisly crimes in the big city while also fending off those who want to see him behind bars.
Reacher’s imposing size sometimes distracts from the fact that he is a very talented detective in his own right. He is often the smartest person in the room and sees things others do not. The same can be said for Luther, who is able to get to the root of a villain who goes unnoticed by others.While he is a much more complicated man than Reacher, they are both heroes who want justice served and are willing to break the law to ensure that.
The idea of a hero operating outside the typical law enforcement boundaries to see justice served is not a new concept on television. The originalThe Equalizerseries also had a similar premise which has also been adopted by the new hit remake starring Queen Latifa. Separate fromthe Denzel WashingtonEqualizermovies, the series stars Latifa as Robin McCall, a former CIA operative who uses his impressive set of skills to help out those in need.
While Reacher likes to be a lone wolf most of the time, the second season of the show with his fellow members of the 110th joining him felt more like McCall’s trusted support team.
McCall is very much like Reacher as a hero of the show.They are both imposing and resourceful protagonists who can be dangerous yet care about helping people. They also have little patience for doing things “by the book,” preferring to hand out their own brand of justice. While Reacher likes to be a lone wolf most of the time, the second season of the show with his fellow members of the 110th joining him felt more like McCall’s trusted support team.
While Taylor Sheridan is mostly known for his Western shows withintheYellowstoneuniverse,Special Ops: Lionessis a thrilling series that took him into the modern world of espionage. Unlike the smaller-scale missions ofReacher,Lionessdeals with international situations, such as taking down terrorists or rogue cartel bosses. Zoe Saldaña stars in the series as Joe, the head of a special operations division of the CIA that trains female agents for intense undercover missions.
Lionessis a grittier and more intense thriller series compared to the fun escapism ofReacher. However, it is not hard to find similarities between the two shows. Like Reacher himself, Joe is a protagonist whose work leads her to be emotionally cut off from those around her in many ways. She also operates in a morally gray area that differs from Reacher’s good-vs-evil outlook, but both are determined soldiers who will get the job done no matter what.
ThoughReachercan be a very violent show with some pulse-pounding moments, it also brings enough humor in to keep things light and entertaining.Bad Monkeyis anApple TV+ original seriesthat is much more comedic and featuresa protagonist who is more like a laidback version of Reacher. Vince Vaughn stars in the series as Andrew Yancy, a friendly yet determined police detective who is suspended from his job and takes a temporary gig as a private investigator, looking into a supposed accidental death that turns out to be something much more complicated.
Both Yancy and Reacher are characters who are at peace on their own but keep getting caught up in dangerous situations. In the case of Reacher, he seems to seek out injustice being done while Yancy wants to stay out of it, but his detective mind pushes him to take a closer look. It is a funny, thrilling, and somewhat dark series that looks like it could followReacher’s format of a new case each season.
Another series from Taylor Sheridan once again takes him away from the Western world and into gangster territory. Sylvester Stallone stars inTulsa Kingas Dwight Manfredi, a member of the Italian mob who is released from prison after a long stretch only to learn that his bosses are sending him to Tulsa, Oklahoma in order to establish some new business ventures. However, Dwight takes this opportunity to build his own empire, forming an unlikely crew of allies and cementing himself as a gangster in an unexpected setting.
LikeReacher, Tulsa Kingis able to be an intense and impactful crime and thriller series while also not taking itself more seriously than it has to. Stallone shows his gift for comedy while also playing his typical intimidating character.Dwight also makes for a formidable protagonist like Reacher, even if he isn’t as heroic, with both men always seeming like they can get out of any situation.
2023-Current
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a suspenseful thriller in which a dedicated FBI agent becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering an emergency line call. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the agent uncovers a mole within the White House, posing significant risks to national security.
The Night Agentis one of the new wave of lone wolf-type agent shows in the past few years. It has a unique premise:rookie FBI agent Peter Sutherland is assigned to the White House on an overnight shift to man an emergency phone linethat rarely sees action. However, one night it rings, and the caller on the other end of the line pulls him into a conspiracy involving a mole in the White House.
Like the Jack Reacher series,The Night Agentis based on a series of books, these by Matthew Quirk.It’s earned lots of praise from critics and viewers alike for being a gripping story told with sophistication. It may not rewrite the spy thriller genre, but it’s taut and engaging, and clicks along at a pace fast enough to keep it from getting bogged down in all the moving pieces.
2018-2023
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
A new adaptation of the popular book series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan follows the titular character as he goes from CIA analyst to being thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that threatens to uproot the world and its status quo. When Jack stumbles upon strange bank transfers during routine analysis, he’s tossed from the comfort of his desk job into the world of action, espionage, and political intrigue to investigate. But, unfortunately, Jack’s search for answers will take him to the heart of a dangerous terrorist ring that seeks to destabilize the U.S. and its allies.
Amazon’s adaptation of the Tom Clancy series is the latest,as well as the first TV adaptation of the prolific author’s book series.Jack Ryan is a former Marine turned CIA agent on the rise. During an intelligence gathering assignment, he discovers a specific pattern of communication between terrorist cells. His discovery throws him into a deadly job where failure means a new breed of terrorism will be unleashed around the globe.
When John Krasinski was first cast as Jack Ryan, most fans scratched their heads. After all, up to that point,Krasinski was best known for playing Jim onThe Office. Fans need not have worried, though: His turn as the titular character inTom Clancy’s Jack Ryanwas a career-defining role for Krasinski and solidified him as a force to be reckoned with across genres.
2022-2024
The Old Man
Premiering on FX in 2022, The Old Man is a Thriller and Drama series starring Jeff Bridges. The film sees Bridges playing Dan Chase, an ex-CIA operative and war veteran that kills an intruder that enters his home and then goes into hiding to avoid the law.
The Old Manemploys one of the best tropes in the action-thriller genre:the old skilled pro who is pulled out of retirement.Jeff Bridges plays Dan Chase, a former CIA agent who has since deserted the agency and now lives a simple life off the grid. When an assassin hunts him down, and the FBI is also on his tail, Dan has to rely on his old tricks and rusty instincts to keep one step ahead of his pursuers.
The Old Manwas canceled after two seasons but earned solid reviews, thanks largely to Jeff Bridges' portrayal lending gravitas to the crusty, wily old agent. The supporting cast around him also brings their A-game, with their performances elevating the script. The writing is sharp, and while it doesn’t rewrite the genre, it’s full of tension and powerful action sequences that are nicely balanced with character development.
2024-Current
Tracker
Tracker follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he navigates the country as a reward seeker. Utilizing his expert tracking skills, he aids private citizens and law enforcement in solving various mysteries while grappling with issues from his fractured family.
2024’s hottest new network show of the year is hot for a reason.Tracker,based on a book character created by Jeffrey Deaver,stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a self-proclaimed “rewardist” who tracks down missing people for reward money. His skills were honed during his strange, off-the-grid upbringing, which ended with the mysterious death of his father. However, the past comes back to haunt him when his father’s death – or murder – keeps interfering with his life.
Trackerhas gained a lot of praise for being an entertaining, engaging show that balances the somewhat played-out lone wolf trope with an ensemble team. Colter Shaw is an interesting character, with all of Jack Reacher’s skills and tendencies to self-isolate,but with a better head on his shoulders thanks to his support system.Hartley has a self-possessed swagger whenever he’s on the screen, and his chemistry with the other characters promises for a fun ride inTrackerseason 2.
5 Ways Tracker Is A Better Show Than Reacher
Despite both being hugely popular and sharing many similarities, CBS’s Tracker is a more enjoyable watch compared to Reacher for a few key reasons.
2022-Current
The Terminal List
The Terminal List is an action-thriller television series based on the novel that follows James Reece, a Navy SEAL whose mission saw his entire platoon ambushed. When he returns home, he tries to figure out what happened, but his memories are out of order and, in some cases, incorrect. However, it isn’t long before Reece finds evidence of something that calls the entire mission into question, and he must figure out who is behind the ambush to protect the people he loves in his life before they are put in the crossfire.
Just as audiences were initially dubious about John Krasinski taking on an action-oriented role,they were also skeptical of longtimeParks and Recreationactor Chris Pratt transforming into an action herowhen he was cast inGuardians of the Galaxy. Since then, however, he’s more than proved his action chips, with his first foray into TV being the action-thrillerThe Terminal List.
It’s one of the many Amazon shows based on a book series (this by former Navy SEAL Jack Carr), following a SEAL agent who goes rogue after his whole platoon is ambushed and he decides to hunt down those responsible.The Terminal Listis just as testosterone-laden asReacher,and has been almost as big a hit. It’s gotten some flak from critics for being too serious and unable to laugh at itself, but sometimes, that’s exactly what an audience wants to see.
