Move over, Jack Reacher.It's Frances Neagley's turn to step into the spotlight.Thetelevision universe on Prime Video is set to expand with its first spin-off series, , with Maria Sten reprising her role as the titular character.
While working as a private investigator in Chicago, Neagley learns about the mysterious death of an old friend.Neagley investigates her friend's death because the circumstances surrounding the tragedy are murky.As Reacher's friend and protégé, Neagley isn't one to wait for answers.
Instead, she teams with Detective Hudson Riley (Greyston Holt), Renee Birdwhistle (Adeline Rudolph), and Keno (Jasper Jones) to do what she does best: solve crimes and administer justice.How-To Geek sat down with the cast of and co-showrunner Nicholas Wootton to discuss the similarities and differences between and .Plus, the group spoke about the beginnings of their respective careers and what those experiences taught them about the business.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.How Maria Sten prepared to headline the spin-off Neagley steps into the spotlight Maria, you're in a rare position where you've played a character now in almost two different roles, per se.You're the resourceful friend in Reacher.
Now, you're the star of .How do you approach playing your character inversusand did you find any similarities or differences in the approach? MARIA STEN: In terms of the character work, I didn't do anything differently because to me, coming into , I had already done all the background on her.With a character, you always want to give them a full life.
Whether you're in one scene or all of the scenes, you want to make sure that the character feels like a real human being that is living a full life, even when the cameras aren't pointed at them.So that was always how I felt on .I felt she's in Chicago, and she has her life, and I know what she's doing day to day, and I know what she's dealing with.
And then, Reacher calls, and she shows up.That was very much the same feeling that I had here on Now, we get to see it with her, and we get to be there with her as she's living her life.Of course, the reason why the cameras are now pointed [at her] is because she is challenged and goes on this incredible character journey.
And that's why it's interesting to watch at this very moment in her life.But I don't know that I did it any different, other than you have less time to learn the material because the schedule is intense.The Neagley cast on what they've learned so far Learning from the past is critical Close I believe that, in anyone's professional life, we take a piece of something from job to job.
Maybe it's at the beginning of a career, or maybe it's a big break.I was wondering, what's one thing you learned from these early jobs that you can still apply to ? NICHOLAS WOOTTON: [] Oh, that's an excellent question.I would say that any story of value, it's not the beats of the story, but it's the character's reaction to the story.
That was sort of drummed into us by Steven Bochco.And I say "us" because I'm also referring to other writers that I was working with at the time, who were very influenced by Steven and being in that world and by David [Milch].That was something that I tried to bring very much to the show, especially in the first season of a show where you really don't have a lot of information about a character except that she can't touch people.
For me, the really interesting thing was why.My suggestion was, let's build the entire season around why, so that the mystery and the character's sort of information about her and her reaction to all this really tells this external story about this bigger crime, but is really more about her.MARIA STEN: [] I think , for me, came at a moment in my life where I had been alone for a very long time.
I had been very focused on my career.And suddenly I was thrust into this situation of a newlywed couple going through their issues and this character having trust issues, which I also have experience with.I think it was such an awakening for me to have that experience of that relationship and sort of made me want that in my life at some point.
I sort of felt that, oh, it's actually possible to have that despite whatever you've been through in the past.Yeah, I think you learn a little bit from every character that you play that is then taken onwards and reflected in your personal life.That was a big one for me in that show.
GREYSTON HOLT: []Deep cut, man.I think I learned how to be on a set.I learned so much.
I didn't take much training as an actor.I was fortunate enough to work quite steadily when I started.So most of my training, for lack of a better term, was on set.
That show was so well written.I had such a great cast that really took me under their wing.And I feel like it was the first moment in time where I realized that I could do this as a profession, and it really got me excited about becoming an actor.
ADELINE RUDOLPH: [] Yeah, I mean, listen, that was my first job.So that's probably the job I learned the most on.I learned how to do rehearsals, do a hair and makeup test, blocking, standing on my mark—anything that has to do with on-set experience.
I learned so much.And then also, of course, from my fellow actors and cast mates, I learned so much about the craft and how to kind of find my own way and my own kind of method to get to places emotionally.Yeah, that was a gift of a show for sure.
Related Alan Ritchson’s new Netflix action movie is the perfect Reacher substitute Ritchson headlines a new sci-fi action film.Posts By Dan Girolamo JASPER JONES: [] Oh, no, you did not.[Laughs] That's hilarious.
Dude, with that one, man, I learned how to learn a lot of lines pretty fast.Work with no budget.I learned how to do a scene whenever there's, like, just no crew really, and what's really important at that point is just like the scene and what you can do.
So skin of the teeth type of thing, like more than you could ever imagine.How does Neagley differ from Reacher? The spin-off revolves around one key element As you've mentioned, you're going to have new characters on this show, and obviously you're going to do some different things, but it's a spin-off and kind of a sequel to .What's one thing from thematically and tonally—you wanted to apply to ? Then on the other side, what's one specific and unique thing you wanted to inject into the show for the first time? NICHOLAS WOOTTON: I think tonally, it's got the vibe.
I mean, has a vibe.He's [Reacher] very tough.He's very internal, and he's also extremely adverse to injustice.
I would say that adversity to injustice is 100% translated into our show.I would say the internal nature of this character is also the same thing [translating to ].What is unique about this is that we put our Neagley into a situation and a story where she's sort of forced to reveal this enormous amount about her backstory and her life.
That is where I think we have a different avenue into a character.We see so many scenes with her father.We see so many scenes where she would rather not be there doing this, and yet, it's amazing.
We felt amazing to watch her do it.All eight episodes of will be released on Wednesday, September 16, exclusively on Prime Video.It's the same day as the season 4 finale.
Neagley Drama Mystery Crime Action Thriller Release Date September 16, 2026 Network Prime Video Powered by Expand Collapse More shows and movies to watch on Prime Video After watching and stay on Prime Video to watch more critically acclaimed shows, including and .If you're looking for another thriller, try Gal Gadot's .
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