Characters do not usually reappear in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, but some characters might still return in the 3rd season of Amazon’s Reacher.
SUMMARY
Some characters from the original Jack Reacher novels may return in season 3, adding a sense of continuity.
Karla Dixon and Oscar Finlay’s return seems unlikely, but others could show up in Reacher season 3.
Neagley’s Reacher season 3 return has been confirmed.
While some characters will probably never reappear in Reacher‘s future seasons, others could show up in season 3 itself. Based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series, Amazon’s Reacher, so far, has performed incredibly well and has even garnered positive reviews from both viewers and critics. While many factors have contributed to its success, it has primarily been receieved so well because it stays true to its source material and adapts only one book at a time with each season. This approach will also likely work well for Reacher season 3.
However, despite following the original books, Amazon’s Reacher also introduces a few changes here and there to add a sense of continuity to its story beats.
Because of this, even though the original books hardly have any recurring characters, the show could surprise viewers with the return of familiar faces in season 3. The return of some characters in Reacher season 3 would cause narrative inconsistencies and require careful handling. Meanwhile, others could perfectly fit into the show’s overarching storyline.
5. Karla Dixon
Reacher Season 2’s Ending Makes Her Return Unlikely
In Reacher season 2, Karla Dixon was not only an essential part of the titular character’s team but also his love interest throughout the season. However, despite being romantically involved, both Reacher and Dixon seemingly understood they did not have a future together. Season 2 even featured a flashback revealing that Dixon was interested in Reacher when they were in the military police. However, Reacher avoided reciprocating her feelings at the time because he wanted to maintain a professional relationship.
Given how Reacher and Dixon end their journey on a peaceful, conclusive note, it seems unlikely Dixon will reappear in Reacher ‘s future seasons
Since the two were not serving in the army in Reacher season 2’s present timeline and were also single, they did not hold themselves back from exploring their feelings for one another. In the beginning, Dixon even seemed curious about Reacher’s lifestyle and wondered why he was not willing to settle down. When her curiosity gets the best of her, she also asks Neagley why Reacher seems so comfortable around her. That is when Neagley helps her understand that Reacher only expects her to trust her boundaries and not judge his lifestyle choices.
Owing to this, towards the end of Reacher season 2, Karla Dixon does not expect any promises or long-term commitments from his end. She embraces her time with him and lets him go after their season 2 mission. Given how Reacher and Dixon end their journey on a peaceful, conclusive note, it seems unlikely Dixon will reappear in Reacher‘s future seasons. Even in the Lee Child novels, Dixon only shows up in Bad Luck and Trouble, which further reduces the odds of her return because the Amazon show is fairly faithful to its source material.
4. Oscar Finlay
Reacher May Not Make Finlay A Recurring Character
Since Amazon’s Reacher is closely adapting the original Lee Child novels, most viewers were not expecting season 1’s characters to show up in season 2. However, Reacher season 2 drifted slightly away from its source material and marked Oscar Finlay’s return. Although Finlay only has a fleeting appearance in season 2, his return proved the Amazon series may not always conform to the storytelling format set by the original books. With that said, since Oscar Finlay has a surprise cameo in Reacher season 2, it seems unlikely that season 3 will pull off the same trick again.
Since Reacher is portrayed as a lone wolf who prefers working alone and has already asked Finlay for help in season 2, Finlay’s appearance in season 3 would seem forced.
Reacher season 2 established Finlay as a police friend Reacher likes reaching out to when he specifically needs support from law enforcement. This could mean that the Alan Ritchson character might occasionally collaborate with him again, but only when he thinks it is necessary to leverage Finlay’s connections and power in the police force. Since Reacher is portrayed as a lone wolf who prefers working alone and has already asked Finlay for help in season 2, Finlay’s appearance in season 3 would seem forced. This reduces the odds of his return in the upcoming Reacher season.
3. David O’Donnell
David Could Cross Paths With Reacher Again
After his Reacher season 2 appearance, David O’Donnell has become one of the most beloved characters of the series because of his “buddy cop” dynamic with the Alan Ritchson character. Since he is a popular figure and may have more to contribute to Reacher’s future crime-solving endeavors, his return seems possible in Reacher season 3. Some may argue that since David does not appear in any other Jack Reacher novels, he should logically not be a part of season 3’s narrative.
However, given how season 2 has already established that the Amazon show is not wholly conforming to the storytelling rules set by the original books, O’Donnell and Reacher could cross paths again in the near future. One aspect of David’s storyline needs to be considered though. Reacher season 2 highlights that O’Donnell has a lot to lose because, unlike other former members of the 110th Special Investigations Unit, he has a family. He puts his life on the line in season 2 to help Reacher and serve justice to the ones who killed his former team members.
However, realizing that David cannot continue risking his life because of his family responsibilities, Reacher will probably keep him away from dangerous missions. Just like he briefly got Finlay involved in Reacher season 2 without putting him in harm’s way, he might call David for help in season 3. This would mean that David will likely have nothing more than a cameo in season 3 if he appears at all.
2. Roscoe Conklin
Roscoe’s Season 3 Return Would Be Surprising
Reacher’s romantic interests do not have recurring appearances in the original Lee Child novels. However, considering the narrative changes in season 2, it is hard not to expect some more source material deviations in the show’s future seasons.
Also, since Finlay showed up in season 2 and Roscoe was even briefly mentioned during an awkward conversation between Neagley, Dixon, and Reacher, there is a slight possibility that the show will reinstate her in one of its seasons. Towards the end of Reacher season 1, Reacher even tells Roscoe that she would be the only reason he would think about staying back in Margrave.
While it is unknown if Reacher still has the Clark bar wrapper where Roscoe wrote her number, he has the means to contact her.
Roscoe even gave him her number, hoping he would stay in touch. While it is unknown if Reacher still has the Clark bar wrapper where Roscoe wrote her number, he has the means to contact her.
However, since season 3 is adapting Lee Child’s Persuader and will likely introduce another character as Reacher’s love interest, his reunion with Roscoe would not make a lot of narrative sense. The season may still surprise viewers with her cameo or pave the way for her potential return in its final arc. Or, maybe, Reacher’s lack of interest in talking about Roscoe in season 2 was a clear indication that he would never meet her again.
1. Frances Neagley
Neagley’s Return Has Been Confirmed
Surprisingly, even though Frances Neagley does not appear in Lee Child’s Persuader, the Amazon show is featuring her in its adaptations of the book. Apart from the titular Jack Reacher, she is probably the only character who will appear in all three Reacher seasons.
Considering how she is not a part of Persuader‘s original storyline, it is unknown how Reacher season 3 will fit her into its narrative. However, her confirmed return suggests that the Amazon show might be setting the stage for her standalone spin-off.
If Neagley is portrayed as one of the primary characters, the Amazon show could risk deviating significantly from the source, as her appearance would make Reacher seem more reliant and less self-sufficient.
If Reacher season 3 remains loyal to the original story arcs in Lee Child’s Persuader, Neagley will likely have a relatively smaller role — perhaps something similar to what she had in season 1. However, if Neagley is portrayed as one of the primary characters, the Amazon show could risk deviating significantly from the source as her appearance would make Reacher seem more reliant and less self-sufficient.
On the bright side, her return would add more heft to Reacher season 2’s ending, affirming that the Alan Ritchson character actually considers her family and wants her around even though it breaks his rules.
