Summary
- Reacher Season 3 introduces formidable villains including Zachary Beck, Francis Quinn, and Paulie.
- Beck brings complexity, Quinn is an intellectual opponent, and Paulie is a physically dominant adversary.
- Hall, Tee, and Richters discuss bringing depth to their characters, playing ruthless foes, and creating dynamic fight sequences.
The world of Reacher is far more than just its towering, enigmatic protagonist; it is populated with a host of compelling characters who add depth and complexity to the stories. While Reacher’s sharp mind and relentless sense of justice drive the action, the series thrives on the presence of ruthless adversaries who challenge him at every turn. In Reacher Season 3, the series raises the stakes by introducing some of its most formidable villains yet—Zachary Beck, a seemingly legitimate businessman with dangerous secrets; Francis Quinn, a ruthless and calculating mastermind with a brutal past; and Paulie, a towering enforcer whose sheer physical dominance makes him one of Reacher’s toughest adversaries. Each of them brings a unique menace to the story, pushing Reacher to his limits like never before.
Game Rant spoke with Reacher Season 3 stars Anthony Michael Hall (Zachary Beck), Brian Tee (Francis Xavier Quinn), and Olivier Richters (Paulie) about bringing their formidable characters to life. Hall spoke about his character having a layered persona, portraying him as more than just a businessman caught in the crossfire, while Tee emphasized how he relished stepping into the shoes of one of Reacher’s most ruthless foes, staying true to the book’s chilling depiction. Meanwhile, Richters, whose towering presence makes him a perfect fit for the monstrous Paulie, spoke about the physicality of the role and how he worked with Alan Ritchson to create an extraordinary dynamic between two colossal characters.
Anthony Michael Hall on not playing a typical villain in Reacher Season 3
When it comes to Beck, Hall expressed elation about playing a multi-layered character in Reacher Season 3, highlighting the depth of his character’s persona and the thrill of exploring darker roles. Moreover, he emphasized how the role’s emotional layers added richness to the story, making it a rewarding experience.
“Listening with the wonderful canvas to play within, great crew, great actors to work with, and great material—it’s fun to explore dark characters and villains. I love doing it. But as you said, the role of, you know, he is a father, helped kind of humanize him and add another dimension to the show. So it was a real privilege, and it was plenty of stuff to work with—a lot of meat on the bone, as it were. It’s always exciting to bring complexity to a character, especially one with layers that challenge the audience’s perception. That duality made the experience even more rewarding.”
In Persuader, the book on which this season is based, Beck is not a typical villain and is deeply entangled in a criminal network, making him a key player in Reacher’s undercover mission. On the other hand, in Reacher Season 3, his dynamic with Reacher is layered with tension and intrigue.
Brian Tee on Francis Quinn: A Formidable Mind Game Opponent for Reacher
Beck is not the only man Reacher should be worrying about because a ghost from his past—Francis Xavier Quinn—has resurfaced, bringing with him a dangerous mix of unfinished business and ruthless ambition. In the book, Lee Child describes Quinn as someone with an unbreakable sense of superiority, and that is what happens in Reacher Season 3, even though his character is introduced much later in the series, his presence looms over the story like a ticking time bomb, and when he finally steps into the spotlight, it’s with the kind of calculated menace that makes him one of Reacher’s most chilling adversaries yet. While opening up about his character, Tee noted how Quinn is similar to Reacher because he has a great mind and is quite intellectual in his approach, which might turn out to be really crucial while going against someone like Reacher.
“I think, first and foremost, the goal is to maintain the source material and be genuine to it. Luckily, with Nick Santora as the showrunner, he has elevated it to television in a way that stays true to the original story. I really tried to harness Quinn’s dynamic as someone who is extremely intelligent and smart. The thing we love about Reacher as a character is that, yes, he’s big, larger than life, brooding, and full of brawn, but he’s also very intellectual and will try to outthink you. That makes for a great opposition to Quinn because Quinn is a thinker—he is constantly trying to out-chess-match you. I think that really elevates this season.”
What makes Quinn such a fascinating character is how he has already met Reacher in the past and has a past with him. So, going back in time and getting to know why Reacher doesn’t like him is one aspect that makes this season such a riveting watch. But again, he is not the only person that Reacher has to go against this time around.
Olivier Richters on creating a superb dynamic with Alan Ritchson
When it comes to formidable adversaries in the world of Reacher, few stand out quite like Paulie—a towering enforcer whose sheer size and brute strength make him one of the most physically intimidating foes Reacher has ever faced. His presence alone is enough to instill fear, but it’s his relentless aggression and unwavering loyalty to the wrong side that truly make him a force to be reckoned with.
Standing at 7’2″, Richters plays the role of Paulie who serves as a bodyguard for Beck. But, in reality, his involvement in Beck’s business is a serious question mark and as the season progresses, viewers get to know why he is with Beck. However, one of the most interesting aspects of the show is the camaraderie between Richters and Ritchson whenever they are on screen. Talking about his dynamic with the leading star, Richters, known as The Dutch Giant, didn’t shy away from saying how both stars were intimidated by each other during the filming. On the other hand, Richters noted that fans should be ready for the “best fighter ever” in Reacher’s history.
“The funny thing is, in real life, we were both intimidated by each other. He had to look up, and I was impressed by his bodybuilding physique if I can call it that. The producer and the director gave us enough time to figure out the scenes and the emotional build-up. A lot of time and money were spent on Paulie and Reacher, and I think that’s really going to show. For example, to keep up with Reacher’s fighting skills, they gave me four months of stunt training to deliver the best fight ever. And I think we really pulled it off, showing the world what two titans can do.”
With Reacher Season 3 introducing these new menacing characters, it would be interesting to see how Ritchson’s Reacher overcomes these threats to deliver justice and move forward in his life.
The first three episodes of Reacher Season 3 will premiere on February 20.
Reacher
- Release Date
-
February 3, 2022
- Network
-
Prime Video
- Showrunner
-
Nick Santora
- Directors
-
Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
-
Cait Duffy
-
Alan Ritchson
Jack Reacher
-
Maria Sten
Frances Neagley
-
Malcolm Goodwin
Oscar Finlay
-
Willa Fitzgerald
Roscoe Conklin
