Prime Video's 'Neagley' Review: A Worthy Reacher Spinoff

Prime Video's new series "Neagley" gives fans of the hit show "Reacher" a spinoff built around Jack Reacher's most loyal ally, and it lands as solid, if uneven, entertainment, according to a review published by Ars Technica on Sept. 21, 2026.

The review, written by Ars Technica's Jennifer Ouellette, calls the new show "a bit uneven in execution but still delivers as fast-paced, entertaining escapist fare." That verdict matters for streaming subscribers deciding whether to add another show to the queue this week.

What is Neagley about?

The series follows Frances Neagley, a former Army buddy of Jack Reacher who now works as a corporate security professional in Chicago, according to the review. Her childhood friend Tommy is killed on Chicago's L train tracks after apparently walking into an oncoming train while high. Investigators rule it an accidental death, but Neagley doesn't buy it and starts digging on her own, against her boss's orders.

The investigation leads her to Echo Canyon Farm, a commune run by a cult leader named Lawrence Cole, where Tommy had been living. Neagley suspects the farm is hiding something tied to a sample of rye flour Tommy sent her before he died, and to a psychoactive drug allegedly being developed by a pharmaceutical company, per the review. She sends a street kid named Keno undercover at the farm to find out more, while whoever is funding the operation turns violent.

Outside the case, Neagley is dealing with grief over Tommy's death and a strained relationship with her dying father, Calvin, who won't talk about a family history that may explain her lifelong fear of touch, the review notes.

Who stars in Neagley?

Maria Sten, known for her role in "Swamp Thing," plays Neagley, reprising the character she originated in "Reacher." The supporting cast includes Jhaleil Swaby as Tommy, Adeline Rudolph as administrative assistant Renee Birdwhistle, Greyston Holt as detective Hudson "Rats" Riley, Damon Herriman as cult leader Lawrence Cole, Jasper Jones as street kid Keno, Tyrone Benskin as Neagley's father Calvin, and Joel Keller as her boss, Gerald York, according to the review.

How does Neagley connect to Reacher?

Alan Ritchson, who plays Jack Reacher in the flagship series, appears in an opening scene helping rescue a kidnapped child, the review says. Neagley is described in the review as arguably Reacher's most "diehard friend," having backed him up across four seasons of "Reacher" as he squared off against a string of dangerous criminals. The new show is set in the same universe and spins that supporting character into a lead.

Is Neagley good, according to critics?

The Ars Technica review is mixed-to-positive. It praises Sten's performance, saying she plays Neagley "to perfection," and calls both "Reacher" and "Neagley" "solidly addictive escapist fare." But the same review flags unevenness in the new show's execution without detailing which specific scenes or episodes fall short. The bottom line offered by the review: the show "mostly sticks to the successful formula while exploring new ground to give a very different main character her due."

Where can viewers watch Neagley?

The show streams on Prime Video, the same platform that carries "Reacher," now in its fourth season, according to the review. No separate release date, episode count, or subscription price was included in the source material.

Neagley by the Numbers

• 4 — seasons "Reacher" has run on Prime Video as of this review
• Sept. 21, 2026 — date the Ars Technica review was published

The review does not specify a premiere date for "Neagley," an episode count, or a runtime, so those details are not included here. Viewers who want the full plot breakdown, including how the rye flour subplot resolves, can read the complete review at Ars Technica.

What themes does Neagley explore beyond the case?

The review notes that Neagley's investigation runs alongside a personal reckoning with fear of touch, a condition known as haphephobia. Her father Calvin's refusal to discuss the family's past leaves that fear unexplained for much of the story, according to the review, even as Neagley shows no hesitation when it comes to physical confrontation in the field. That contrast between her personal life and her work is one of the through-lines the review highlights as it weighs the new show against its predecessor.

Does Neagley live up to Reacher?

The review's comparison is direct: both series are described as "solidly addictive escapist fare," and the new show is said to mostly stick to the formula that made "Reacher" a hit while giving a supporting character room to lead. The review does not rank one show above the other, and it stops short of a numeric or letter-grade score, leaving the overall assessment to its prose verdict rather than a scale.