REACHER Could Be Getting Another Spinoff, and Lee Child Knows Exactly Who Should Lead It

Prime Video has turned Reacherinto one hell of an action franchise, and it looks like there could be even more stories worth exploring. With the hit series continuing to expand and Neagley already getting a second season, Lee Child has another character in mind who could carry her own show. I'm all for it.

The bestselling author recently spoke with Collider about the future of the Reacher franchise while promoting his latest Jack Reacher novel, Chain Reaction. During the conversation, he brought up Major Susan Turner, a U.S. Army commanding officer who has an interesting history with Jack Reacher and could make an excellent lead for another Prime Video spinoff.

Child explained: “I was glad that Andrew brought back Susan Turner. Good character, but also a spin-off opportunity because we've already got Neagley, and Amazon tends to want as much as possible if it's working. And so, do they want another spin-off? In which case, she'll do.”

That's actually a pretty interesting idea. Susan Turner has already proven herself to be a compelling character in the books, and there's plenty of potential to build an action series around her military career and the dangerous situations that come with it.

Turner first appeared in Child's 2010 novel 61 Hours before returning in 2013's Never Go Back. Movie fans will also remember the character being played by Cobie Smulders opposite Tom Cruise in the 2016 film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.

After 13 years away from the novels, Turner finally returns in Chain Reaction, the latest installment in the long-running book series. Child's brother, Andrew Child, has taken over as the lead writer of the novels, and Lee seems particularly happy that he decided to bring Turner back into the story.

With 30 Jack Reacher novels and counting, Amazon certainly isn't running short on material. Season 4 of Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson, has already arrived, Season 5 is in production, and the series has been renewed for Season 6. Meanwhile, Neagley, starring Maria Sten, has earned strong reviews and a second-season renewal.

So why not add Susan Turner to the mix? One thing that makes this idea interesting is that Turner hasn't appeared in the Prime Video series yet. Amazon could introduce her in an upcoming season of Reacher before spinning her off into her own show, much like it did with Neagley. Or the studio could simply launch a standalone series and let audiences get to know her from there.

There's also the question of who would play her. Smulders did a solid job in the movie, but the Cruise films and Ritchson's television series exist in separate continuities. Amazon would likely cast someone new for the role, although bringing Smulders back would be a fun surprise.

Whoever takes on the character would need to bring the same kind of commanding presence that Ritchson and Sten have established in their respective shows.

Of course, Child suggesting another spinoff doesn't mean Amazon is developing one. Nothing has been announced, and the studio already has plenty on its plate with the next two seasons of Reacher and Season 2 of Neagley.

Still, I like the idea of expanding this franchise beyond Jack Reacher himself. Turner has the military background, experience, and personality to lead a show that could deliver the kind of action and storytelling fans have come to expect, while offering something different from the main series.

For now, fans can catch up with Susan Turner in the new novel Chain Reaction, while all four seasons of Reacher and the first season of Neagley are streaming on Prime Video.

Would you be interested in a Susan Turner spinoff, and who would you cast in the role?