'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson Understands Something Most Action Stars Completely Ignore

Easily one of my favorite shows on TV is Reacher. This third season has been a crackling good time digging into arms dealers and watching the character get in way too deep while undercover. One of the main reasons the show is successful is that its star, Alan Ritchson, understands a fundamental tenet of action storytelling that seems to be ignored by a lot of other actors. Speaking to GamesRadar, Ritchson said, "We live in an age where there are a lot of actors out there. I'm not gonna name names, but like, there are people who just kind of have to be invincible in their roles. And what kind of fun is that for audiences?"That quote really hit me, pun intended. What I love about action movies and TV shows is not guys who feel like they will win every fight. It's guys who feel like they have to try to win every fight and take a lot of punches along the way. Even with Ritchson's huge frame and Reacher's personality, the show ALWAYS stacks the odds against him, and they let him get his ass kicked, too. He loses a lot of fights; he just wins the most important ones. Ritchson expanded on this all, saying, "You know, if [Reacher] is like, too superhuman or indestructible, it's not gonna be that fun to watch. So it's really fun to pair him with somebody that makes you question whether or not he's gonna live."Those stakes and possibilities keep us coming back and making the show a big hit for Amazon. This is not just about dramatic tension but also relatability. I want to relate with the huge guy on the mission who would kill me; I want a semblance to hang onto that he and I have the same issues in some universe, and seeing him get beat up or fall down or fail is what links us together. It's the pact storytellers have with the audience. Having Ritchson understand this is huge for the writers on the show. It means he trusts them to tell a great story, and he doesn't let his ego get in the way of that. If he won every fight, the show would be so boring. If he came across as invincible, there would be no depth or hurt or connection. His bravery to perform and be vulnerable has ensured this show is a hit and will continue to be one as long as they keep following his lead. Think about that the next time you sit down to write an action script.Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 20, 2025 - 00:02

'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson Understands Something Most Action Stars Completely Ignore

Easily one of my favorite shows on TV is Reacher. This third season has been a crackling good time digging into arms dealers and watching the character get in way too deep while undercover.

One of the main reasons the show is successful is that its star, Alan Ritchson, understands a fundamental tenet of action storytelling that seems to be ignored by a lot of other actors.

Speaking to GamesRadar, Ritchson said, "We live in an age where there are a lot of actors out there. I'm not gonna name names, but like, there are people who just kind of have to be invincible in their roles. And what kind of fun is that for audiences?"

That quote really hit me, pun intended.

What I love about action movies and TV shows is not guys who feel like they will win every fight. It's guys who feel like they have to try to win every fight and take a lot of punches along the way.

Even with Ritchson's huge frame and Reacher's personality, the show ALWAYS stacks the odds against him, and they let him get his ass kicked, too.

He loses a lot of fights; he just wins the most important ones.

Ritchson expanded on this all, saying, "You know, if [Reacher] is like, too superhuman or indestructible, it's not gonna be that fun to watch. So it's really fun to pair him with somebody that makes you question whether or not he's gonna live."

Those stakes and possibilities keep us coming back and making the show a big hit for Amazon.

This is not just about dramatic tension but also relatability. I want to relate with the huge guy on the mission who would kill me; I want a semblance to hang onto that he and I have the same issues in some universe, and seeing him get beat up or fall down or fail is what links us together.

It's the pact storytellers have with the audience.

Having Ritchson understand this is huge for the writers on the show. It means he trusts them to tell a great story, and he doesn't let his ego get in the way of that. If he won every fight, the show would be so boring. If he came across as invincible, there would be no depth or hurt or connection.

His bravery to perform and be vulnerable has ensured this show is a hit and will continue to be one as long as they keep following his lead.

Think about that the next time you sit down to write an action script.

Let me know what you think in the comments.