Alan Ritchson, the star of Amazon Prime Video’s action-packed series Reacher, has recently made headlines for his candid comments surrounding his faith and political opinions, generating significant buzz across social media platforms.
Set to return for its third season, which premieres on February 20, the show features Ritchson as the titular character, Jack Reacher—an ex-military police officer with a knack for finding trouble. But it’s not just the action sequences and intense narrative arcs Ritchson is discussing; his outspoken honesty about his personal beliefs and criticisms from some members of the Christian community have put him under intense scrutiny.
Speaking with GQ, the actor revealed his frustrations with certain Christians who struggle to separate him from his on-screen persona. “People have this weird relationship with fictional characters, and sort of equate it to the real human being,” Ritchson reflected. “I don’t have this problem, making the distinction. I get criticized often by Christians who are like, ‘How dare you have an unmarried sex scene on TV and then talk about Jesus?’” He added, “I’m sorry—I doubt that's going to be part of the conversation when I’m standing at the pearly gates!”
Alan Ritchson describes his faith as central to his identity, claiming, “I am a Christian quite simply because of what Jesus calls us to do.” Yet, he’s also been quite vocal about the darker elements within the Church. He pointedly addressed the “atrocities” covered up within religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church. “I can’t for one second support the Catholic Church,” he stated, naming the high-ranking officials who have avoided accountability for their actions.
Ritchson’s remarks don’t stop with religion; he also directed criticism at politicians, particularly his high school classmate, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. Their history as classmates took center stage during his interview, where he referred to Gaetz as “that motherfucker” and confirmed their relationship as adversarial. “It's shocking to me,” he noted, “that the panhandle of Florida continues to vote for somebody—knowing everything we know about him.” His vehemence is palpable as he expresses his disbelief over Gaetz’s actions and the support he still receives.
Reflecting on the idea of entering politics, Ritchson indicated he might be motivated to “outdo somebody like him for good.” Yet he added, “There’s part of me that's like, I’m not duplicitous enough to succeed in politics.” His conversation included praise for Bernie Sanders, though he questioned the effectiveness of political adherence without tangible results.
Emerging as somewhat of a breath of fresh air in Hollywood, Ritchson unintentionally contrasts the stoic, tough persona of Jack Reacher with his own thoughtful and vulnerable self. He is not only seen as the hulking action star—standing at six-foot-two and weighing around 230 pounds—but he is also someone deeply attuned to personal struggles, including mental health challenges. Ritchson opened up about his previous struggles, including suicidal thoughts and the healing path he’s found through therapy with substances like MDMA.
Season three of Reacher has Ritchson eagerly awaiting its audience response, hoping it continues the success of previous seasons. Yet, Ritchson is adamant about remaining authentic amid the growing fame. “I want season 10 to be the best season we’ve ever had,” he declared, signaling not only his ambition for the series but also the personal determination he carries.
Looking back on the pivotal moments shaping his career, Ritchson still carries elements of surprise. Despite his current role as one of television’s most steadfast action heroes, he initially envisioned himself as a comedic actor, expressing desire to match Ryan Reynolds’ success. His ability to blend humor with action has come through subtly, though his current role demands less of his comedic side.
Ritchson caught the attention of Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher novels, who praised Ritchson’s portrayal, citing him as the actor who best embodied the physicality Child envisioned for the character. “He nailed it,” said Child, who oversaw the auditioning process.
It’s fair to say Ritchson's transformation from light-hearted characters to deadly serious roles hasn't gone unnoticed. Critics and fans alike appreciate not just his physical prowess but his commitment to grounding his performances. Whether it’s engaging audiences with humor or embodying the fierce Jakob Reacher, he does it all with unyielding energy.
With Ritchson now firmly embedded as Reacher, opinions and personal beliefs continuing to blend with his professional role provide both challenges and growth. The duality of his public persona reflects the complexity of human existence—how faith, fame, and ambition can intertwine. All eyes are set on February 20, not only to witness the fierce fight scenes of Reacher but to understand more about the man behind the character.