Alan Ritchson Almost Missed Out On Iconic Reacher Role Over THIS One Detail

With

a fourth season and a spinoff on the way in 2026, the Amazon Prime Video series Reacher has cemented itself on the streamer as one of the top shows on the streamer. That's largely also due to its star, Alan Ritchson, whom fans can't get enough of in the book adaptation. However, recently the actor revealed that he was almost passed over for the role because of this one detail from the Lee Child books. Find out more below.

Alan Ritchson says he almost missed out on Reacher series because of one detail

On the Inside You podcast, Ritchson told Michael Rosenbaum, "I was passed on in the very beginning of the process, like everybody was, and I think that was because I'm 6'3". Reacher's 6'5". Everybody was trying to get a super-authentic version of Reacher on screen. So there's always an asterisk in my mind when it comes to this role. I had to really fight for that."

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The Reacher films starring Tom Cruise, who is 5'7", were widely panned because the actor didn't fit the description of the character from Lee Child's books. So when it came time for the series adaptation, the makers wanted to get things right. That being said, Ritchson is perfect for the role, despite the two-inch difference. And fans agree, as the show had 54.6 million global viewers for Season 3. ALSO READ: Reacher Spinoff Neagley Sets Up THIS Special Reunion; Alan Ritchson Drops Hints For Season 4

How Reacher changed Alan Ritchson's career

While Ritchson has been acting for nearly two decades, Reacher made him a household name. On the podcast, Ritchson also shared that his career "exploded" after the show's premiere. He said, "Beforehand, we were waiting. The whole town was like, 'Let's see what happens when it airs.' There was months of silence. Nobody was picking up the phone. There [were] no conversations about scripts. Within 48 hours, I had 20 offers on my desk from the biggest producers and studios in town, and it hasn't slowed up."After Reacher, Ritchson has landed roles in the films Fast X, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and the recent action comedy Playdate. He will also reprise his role as Jack Reacher in the spinoff Neagley, starring Maria Sten as the main character. The actor is currently filming Season 4, which is based on the 13th book, Gone Tomorrow, in Lee Child's series.