Reacher season 3’s release date is sadly unknown, and as fans eagerly await any news concerning the upcoming episodes, they can get their Alan Ritchson fix by watching one of his previous series on Netflix. The Amazon Prime Video action crime show, based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series, revolves around Ritchson’s eponymous character, Jack Reacher, a former major with the United States Army military police and self-proclaimed hobo. Each season pulls inspiration from one of Child’s novels, with season 1 based on Killing Floor (the first Jack Reacher book) and season 2 based on Bad Luck and Trouble.
Ritchson and the other cast members (including Maria Sten as Frances Neagley) are filming Reacher season 3, meaning the new episodes will likely premiere in early 2025. While that may seem far away, plenty of shows can serve as Reacher‘s replacement during the hiatus between season 2 and season 3, including a series that first premiered in 2010 and stars Ritchson as one of the main characters. Thankfully, Netflix added this show to its library in May 2024, so, fans can watch it while waiting for Reacher to return.
Blue Mountain State, starring Alan Ritchson as Kevin “Thad” Devlin Castle, is now available to stream on Netflix. The Spike sitcom, created by Chris Romano and Eric Falconer, ran for three seasons and 39 episodes, starting in 2010 and ending in 2011. Blue Mountain State chronicles the football team (the “Mountain Goats”) at a fictional university (Blue Mountain State, hence the show’s title). As a result, the television series features an ensemble cast that includes coaches, football players, and cheerleaders. Ritchson’s character, Thad, is the starting linebacker and is the team’s captain, making him an important figure in the show.
While the only thing the sitcom and Reacher seemingly have in common is Ritchson, fans of the Amazon Prime Video action crime series can explore more of the actor’s diverse filmography by watching Blue Mountain State‘s 39 episodes. The Spike show is much raunchier and more comedic, and Ritchson’s newer series is darker and more serious. Nevertheless, Blue Mountain State can help pass the time during the wait for Reacher season 3.
As mentioned above, Blue Mountain State is quite different from Reacher, even though they are both entertaining and popular and have received raving reviews. However, it proves how talented Alan Ritchson is, because his comedic role in the sitcom is wildly different from his character in the Amazon Prime Video series. Ritchson’s Thad Castle is a stereotypical college football player who enjoys bullying and hazing but loves his team fiercely. Meanwhile, Ritchson’s Jack Reacher is a mature and hardened man whose moral compass results in him helping others and putting himself in danger.
One could watch the entirety of Reacher and not know that the actor playing the protagonist is the same one who starred in Blue Mountain State, and vice versa. Ritchson has not let himself be pigeonholed into one archetype while choosing roles, and his abilities allow him to show off his impressive range. The actor has proven that he can succeed in comedic and action roles, meaning that Ritchson’s next movie or television show may (and should) branch outside those two genres.
Even if one finishes Blue Mountain State‘s three seasons months before Reacher season 3 premieres, they can still look forward to more of Alan Ritchson as Thad Castle since Ritchson is developing a sequel to his breakout sports comedy show. Thirteen years after Blue Mountain State ended, Ritchson is set to reprise his role as Thad in an upcoming series. Chris Romano’s Sammy Cacciatore and Darin Brooks’ Alex Moran are also expected to return.
Unfortunately, not much is known about the sequel. Since Ritchson, Romano, and Brooks are in their late 30s and early-to-mid 40s, having their iconic characters still be in college isn’t an option, even if the college setting played a significant role in the original series. Only time will tell what the Blue Mountain State sequel show’s story will entail, but one thing is certain — Ritchson’s rising popularity, thanks to Reacher, means it’s the right time to bring the sitcom back.