Season 1

Air Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2026

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars.

“I work alone.” – Frances Neagley

After learning that an old friend has died, Frances Neagley (Maria Sten), a former investigator with the 110th Special Investigations Unit who now works as a private investigator in Chicago, begins to suspect there is more to the story. Using the skills she developed in the military, she discovers that the mystery goes much deeper than she initially thought. Can she uncover the truth before someone else close to her becomes the next victim?

Neagley is a supporting character in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher literary universe, having appeared in four of the 30 Reacher novels, as well as a short story. She quickly became a fan favorite on Amazon’s Reacher series, starring Alan Ritchson. Given Sten’s popularity as the character, it seemed inevitable that Neagley would eventually receive her own series. Having screened all eight episodes, I don’t think fans will be disappointed.

The spinoff was co-created by Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton, who both serve as executive producers and co-showrunners. Santora is no stranger to Reacher, having served as showrunner for all four seasons. Wootton may be new to the franchise, but he and Santora seem to understand what fans enjoy about this world.

Releasing Neagley after Season 4 of Reacher plays out as a smart decision. The most recent season, which just wrapped up on Amazon, had a very different tone and feel, as I explained in my review (found here). With Neagley airing right on the heels of the finale, I initially wondered whether audiences might feel like they were getting too much of the same thing. However, because of that tonal shift, Neagley feels more like the first three seasons of Reacher without making the two shows feel too similar back-to-back.

It’s no spoiler that Reacher makes a brief appearance, given that one of the clips released to promote the new series features him. His appearance feels more like Ritchson symbolically handing the lead over to Sten than something that is important to the storyline. The writers do a great job of using Reacher in a way that is fun for the audience without letting him overshadow whose series this is.

From the moment she first appeared in Reacher Season 1, I have enjoyed the Neagley character. Sten seems completely comfortable stepping into the lead role and proves that Neagley can carry a series without Reacher by her side. Through the seasons, we have gotten glimpses into Neagley’s life, but this series allows us to learn even more about her. There is plenty of action throughout the eight episodes, but Neagley relies more on her investigative skills than brute force.

The season follows one case, but Neagley and Keno’s storylines split into two paths. At times, their journeys feel like two completely different shows, but somehow they work well together. The two storylines have very different feels, but the writers move between them without making the season feel disconnected. They do a wonderful job balancing the two, giving each one time to grow and develop. Needless to say, it’s only a matter of time before the two storylines come together in an explosive finale.

Sten carries the series, but it’s Jasper Jones as Keno who nearly walks away with it. I am so glad the first trailer didn’t reveal anything about his character or storyline. I will admit that it takes a while to warm up to him, but Keno, in many ways, serves as the heart of the show. This was my first exposure to Jones, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this talented young performer.

While I overwhelmingly loved Neagley, there were a couple of things that didn’t work for me. The first was Neagley’s relationship with her father. This wasn’t the fault of either actor, as both delivered strong performances. However, I never fully connected with their relationship, and the scenes intended to be touching failed to trigger much of an emotional response.

Their history also introduces elements of Neagley’s past that I found confusing. Based on what we have learned about her throughout three seasons of Reacher, parts of this new backstory simply don’t seem to fit. Without revealing the actual issue, imagine the series suddenly suggesting that Neagley has always opposed guns and violence. That isn’t what happens, but it illustrates how disconnected this revelation feels from the character we have come to know. It has little impact on the overall story, but the more I thought about it, the less it added up.

My other complaint involves the ending. While nearly all the storylines are neatly wrapped up, there was one scene I kept hoping to see that never came. I can’t explain what the missing scene is without giving too much away, but anyone who watches the season will probably understand why I expected it. It could have provided a genuinely heartfelt moment while also helping set up a second season, should there be one. It’s such a missed opportunity that I still can’t believe it didn’t happen. Its absence doesn’t ruin the ending, but it did leave me wanting more.

Neagley is a well-earned spinoff that fits right in with the Reacher universe. It has the action fans expect while still establishing its own identity. Sten proves she is more than a sidekick and can carry a show on her own. While Reacher often focuses on brawn and brute force, Neagley takes more of an investigative approach. I am excited to see where the series might go if given the chance.

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