Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Has 1 Key to Success That Other Action TV Shows Fail to Replicate

With the recent announcement that Reacher has been renewed for Season 5 ahead of its Season 4 premiere, it’s clear at this point that the Prime Video action crime series is showing no signs of slowing down. It has been one of the streamer’s most successful series since Season 1 and consistently ranks among the platform’s top-performing original shows.

In the streaming era, it’s truly easy to fade into oblivion, especially given the plethora of choices (both old and new) in the streamer’s catalog. Prime Video, in particular, also boasts several originals, including shows like Fallout, Invincible, and The Boys, among others. All the shows mentioned are standouts in their own right, but Reacher — which debuted in 2022 — is easily one of the streaming platform’s most successful shows. But what makes it so special that audiences have tuned in season after season?

What is Reacher’s key to success?

Starring Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, the Prime Video show (based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novel series) follows the titular character, who travels across the United States as a drifter. Throughout his journey, Reacher often becomes embroiled in deadly conspiracies and battles dangerous criminals, using only his strength and intellect to solve cases.

It is the simplicity of it all that makes the show a standout — not because it is less creative or lacks in storytelling, but because it never tries to overcomplicate its narrative, making it more accessible to audiences.

Action is a complex genre in itself. It is often defined by its expansive universes and nonlinear timelines. That’s not to say stories like that aren’t, in any way, engaging, but Reacher was able to resonate with viewers for keeping things simple and easy to follow. Its straightforward storytelling, which some may describe as old-school, serves as a big part of its overall appeal.

The show’s old-school approach has proven successful on both commercial and critical fronts, earning strong reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and solid audience reception. And it proves one thing, too: some viewers don’t need extensive background knowledge to get into the show. Most of the time, it’s the execution that they’re looking for — the very strength that Reacher has built its reputation on.