Reacher’s Neagley Spinoff Gets Hopeful Release Window From Lee Child As He Confirms Filming Timeline

The NeagleyReacher spinoff show gets a new update from franchise author Lee Child. Serving as an adaptation of Child's long-running novel series, Reacher premiered on Prime Video in 2022, quickly becoming a major hit with both audiences and critics. Though it's Alan Ritchson's titular character who serves as the show's hero, Maria Sten's Frances Neagley quickly emerged as a standout character, and she's now set to lead a NeagleyReacher spinoff series, which started filming in late February. No official release date, however, has been announced.

In a recent interview with Business Insider conducted prior to the start of Neagley's production in late February, Child shares a hopeful update on when the spinoff series will release on Prime Video. According to the author, audiences could be seeing Sten's character back in action in late 2025:

"They start shooting very soon, as a matter of fact! And I think I've seen the screenplays, I think it's going to be excellent, just as good as 'Reacher,' really. So you know, with a bit of luck, the 'Reacher'-verse will dominate the year on Amazon Prime both ends of it."

Sten also comments on her character's journey in Reacher season 3 and how the episodes now releasing on Prime Video serve as a ramp into the character's journey in the spinoff show, which will see the character working more on her own. As she tells Business Insider's Eammon Jacobs:

"When we first meet her, I think she's still sort of a stray dog, out of the military and finding her way in the world. Then, coming into season two, she definitely found her way in the world, at least in her professional life. I think season three is more of that, where we really see her established in her life in Chicago before she, of course, goes off to help Reacher.
"I think that is a nice way to hand off the character from, 'Yes, I am living in this Reacher universe and I'm connected to him.' She has been showing up for him but also showing the world that yes, there's also a life outside of Reacher and she is actually running her own cases and doing her own thing and has her own problems as well, outside of helping the big guy!
"So I think they did a lovely thing to honor the book and honor what Reacher is, but also honor Neagley's contribution so far and send her off on her own."

What Neagley's Potential Release Window Means For Reacher

Prime Video Is Doubling Down On The Lee Child Franchise

Reacher season 3 reviews have been generally very positive from critics, continuing a strong trend for the action franchise since season 1. Each season, in addition to faring well with critics, has also been a viewership success. The series remains one of Prime Video's most popular original shows, and a recent report claimed that Reacher has generated $279 million so far in global subscriber revenue since the premiere in 2022.

Custom Reacher image of Maria Sten looking concerned as Frances Neagley and Alan Ritchson smiling as Reacher

The Biggest Difference Between Neagley's Spinoff & Reacher Will Make Or Break Amazon's New Show

Maria Sten is set to reprise the role of Frances Sten in her own self-title Reacher spinoff, but there's a big difference between both shows.

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It makes sense, then, that Amazon is looking to expand the franchise's footprint with a spinoff, which is now also set up for success. With Neagley potentially releasing before the year is out and Reacher season 4 already confirmed to be on the way, Prime Video could have a steady supply of franchise material releasing to audiences in the years ahead. If Reacher season 4, for example, premieres next year, which is likely given it starts shooting this summer, a potential Neagley season 2 could follow in 2027.

Our Take On Neagley's Release Window

Maria Sten's Spinoff Will Be An Interesting Test For The Reacher Franchise

Maria Sten as Frances Neagley looking serious in season 2, episode 4 of Reacher — Frances Neagley in season 2, episode 4 of Reacher

Ritchson is undoubtedly a major reason for Reacher's success, and he brings with him a commanding screen presence, in addition to nailing the character's intelligence and physicality. Though Neagley has been a standout supporting character in the main series, serving as the lead of her own show is a different beast. This is made all the more challenging considering the Neagley spinoff won't be directly adapting any of Child's Jack Reacher source material.

Neagley appears as a supporting character in five of the 29 Jack Reacher books.

Sten's presence in Reacher, however, does suggest she has what it takes to carry her own spinoff, and strong writing and action could certainly help the spinoff succeed. Though it likely won't ever be as big as the main show, it could end up being popular enough to warrant a season 2 and beyond, with the potential for lots of crossover between the two shows. It remains to be seen how Neagley will fare with audiences, but it sounds like audiences could see the spinoff sooner rather than later.

Source: Business Insider, Eammon Jacobs