Prime Video's 93% RT 'Reacher' Spin-Off Officially Introduces Alan Ritchson's Replacement

Published Sep 23, 2026, 11:15 PM EDT

Jeffrey is a freelance features writer at Collider. He is an MPA-accredited entertainment journalist and a Tomatometer-approved critic based in the LA area. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio, TV, & Film and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater.

Editor's note: The following contains spoilers for Neagley Season 1

Reacher's first-ever spin-off, Neagley, hit Prime Video this month, marking a new era for the franchise. The new series breaks from Reacher's established formula, with Frances Neagley (Maria Sten) putting down roots in her hometown of Chicago and launching a new private investigation firm. Most notably, the first season also wraps up with Neagley building her very own team of allies, including a character who serves as a narrative replacement for Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) and carries huge implications for Prime Video's entire saga.

Neagley Builds a New Team in 'Reacher's First-Ever Spin-Off

A major part of each season of Reacher involves the eponymous hero establishing a tight-knit group of allies as the plot progresses. Neagley herself served as an integral member of Reacher's teams throughout the first three seasons of the flagship series. However, Reacher leaving town at the end of each storyline requires a reset of the show's supporting cast. By the end of Neagley's first season, the titular lead has recruited her own team — not just to help her unravel a greater conspiracy, but to investigate new mysteries.

Since Neagley isn't a nomad who constantly prefers to travel the country as Reacher does, she opts to stay in Chicago, becoming the boss of her own detective agency. While Reacher parts ways with his allies once a season is complete, there's a stronger sense of stability and consistency within Neagley's team. Her new employees consist of Gerry York's (Joel Keller) former assistant, Renee Birdwhistle (Adeline Rudolph), and the street hustler with a heart of gold, Keno (Jasper Jones), both of whom play a crucial role in bringing down Echo Canyon Farm. Detective Hudson Riley (Greyston Holt) also proves to be a loyal sidekick, saving Neagley's life after she is drugged in Episode 5, "Trip," but Season 1 suggests that Riley could become something more than an ally and investigative partner.

Neagley Has a New Relationship Outside of Jack Reacher

Neagley's previous appearances in Reacher have established her haphephobia, or fear of being touched, and in Season 2, she tells Karla Dixon (Serinda Swan) that she's "not attracted to anybody." Neagley's spin-off reveals that her haphephobia is the result of a traumatic event in her childhood, when she witnessed her father killing a man, and has prevented her from ever having a meaningful romantic relationship. At one point, Neagley tearfully confesses to her father, Calvin (Tyrone Benskin), "I've never danced with anyone. I've never had a first kiss with anyone. A guy reached toward me last night — a guy I really like, and I screamed at him!"

Unveiling the root cause of Neagley’s haphephobia — as well as her romantic interest in Riley — is a major development both for the character and the entire Reacher saga, as author Lee Child previously avoided divulging her backstory in his novels. Before Neagley, it always seemed like romance was never on the table, but it's exciting that the writers are tackling this subplot head-on. Although Reacher and Neagley have always been close, their relationship is strictly platonic, and Riley and Neagley's relationship offers a unique dynamic now that the character is leading her own series.

Will Neagley and Riley Get Together in Season 2?

Image via Prime Video

The Season 1 finale, "Touched," reveals that Riley reciprocates Neagley's feelings, even asking at one point if it would be okay to kiss her when they're alone. Unfortunately, Neagley isn't ready for that, as she's still processing her haphephobia and the trauma of her childhood. Yet the season's final scene does show Neagley meeting with a therapist, and it looks like she's finally taking steps to deal with her long-standing phobia.

Riley is no Jack Reacher, but he proves himself as a man of integrity and an equal to Neagley, and their potential romance raises the emotional stakes for next season. Sten and Holt have remarkable onscreen chemistry that will benefit the series if their characters' relationship continues to develop in the future. It will be interesting to see whether Neagley and Riley's mutual attraction develops into a full-blown relationship, which would be a monumental event that allows Reacher fans to finally have someone they can romantically ship Neagley with.