If you’ve spent any time watching Reacher on Prime Video, you know that Alan Ritchson’s massive frame takes up most of the screen. But there’s one person who doesn't just stand in his shadow. She stands right next to him, usually rolling her eyes or outsmarting everyone in the room before the first punch is even thrown. That’s Frances Neagley.
So, who plays Neagley in Reacher? The actress is Maria Sten, and honestly, she’s become the heartbeat of the show. While the series is based on Lee Child’s books where Jack Reacher is famously a "lone wolf," the TV version realized pretty quickly that watching a giant man think in silence for eight minutes doesn't make for great television. They needed a foil. They needed Neagley.
The Woman Behind the Badge: Meet Maria Sten
Maria Sten isn't just an actress who stepped into a hit show; she’s a Danish-born powerhouse with a background that’s as varied as a Neagley reconnaissance report. Born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and a Congolese father, Sten actually started her career in a completely different world: pageantry and dance.
She was crowned Miss Denmark Universe in 2008.
Yeah, you read that right. The woman who plays the no-nonsense, "don’t touch me" Master Sergeant was once representing her country on the world stage. But she didn't stay in the pageant circuit. She moved to New York at 18 with nothing but a dream to dance, working as a nanny to pay for classes. Eventually, she pivoted to acting and writing, which is where things really got interesting.
More Than Just an Actress
Before she was cracking skulls in the 110th Special Investigations Unit, Sten was building a resume that included:
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- Swamp Thing: She played Liz Tremayne in the DC Universe series.
- Channel Zero: She took the lead as Jillian Hope Hodgson in The Dream Door season.
- Big Sky: Here’s a fun fact—she’s not just in front of the camera. Sten is a credited writer on the show Big Sky.
She’s what people in the industry call a "multi-hyphenate." She writes, she directs, and she acts. That intelligence she brings to Neagley? It isn't just good acting. It’s a reflection of her own career path.
Why Neagley is Different in the Show vs. the Books
If you’re a die-hard Lee Child reader, you probably noticed something weird. Neagley is in the first season of the show, but she’s definitely not in the first book, Killing Floor.
Author Lee Child and showrunner Nick Santora made a "strategic decision" to bring her in early. In the books, we get pages of Reacher’s internal monologue. We know what he’s thinking because the narrator tells us. On screen, he’d just look like a guy staring at a wall.
By putting Maria Sten’s Neagley in the mix, Reacher has someone to talk to. She’s his "Basil Exposition," but with way more attitude. She’s the only person Reacher truly respects as an equal.
The Haphephobia Factor
One of the most defining traits of Neagley is her haphephobia—the intense fear of being touched.
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Maria Sten plays this with incredible subtlety. It’s not a cartoonish "get away from me" vibe; it’s a deeply ingrained boundary. Whether it's the "elbow bump" instead of a handshake or the way she positions herself in a crowded room, Sten makes the condition feel real rather than just a plot device. It adds a layer of vulnerability to a character who is otherwise a human weapon.
From Sidekick to Solo Star: The Neagley Spinoff
Amazon knows they have a hit on their hands, and they aren't letting Maria Sten go anywhere. While Reacher Season 3 and Season 4 are moving forward, a standalone spinoff—tentatively titled Neagley—is already in the works.
This is a massive deal for the "Reacher-verse."
The spinoff won't be based on a specific Lee Child book. Instead, it’s an original story where Neagley, now a private investigator in Chicago, has to solve the murder of a close friend. It’s going to dive into her personal life, her history, and what makes her tick when the "Big Guy" isn't around to take the lead.
Alan Ritchson is expected to show up as a guest star, but make no mistake: this is Maria Sten’s house.
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What’s Next for Maria Sten and Frances Neagley?
As of early 2026, things are moving fast. Production on the spinoff has already seen filming take place in iconic locations like Wrigley Field in Chicago. Fans have even spotted Sten and Ritchson filming scenes together during actual MLB games.
If you're looking to dive deeper into her work while waiting for the next season, here’s how you can follow the journey:
- Watch Reacher Seasons 1-3: Focus on her evolution from a "call-for-help" contact to a full-fledged partner.
- Check out her writing: Look up her episodes on Big Sky to see how her brain works behind the scenes.
- Follow her "Wyoming Life": Sten actually lives in Wyoming part-time and is a huge horse enthusiast. It’s a far cry from the gritty streets of Chicago she roams in the show.
Maria Sten has managed to take a character that could have been a generic "tech person" and turned her into a cultural icon for the action genre. She’s smart, she’s deadly, and honestly, she’s often the only person on screen who can tell Reacher he’s being an idiot and get away with it.
Keep an eye out for the Neagley series premiere on Prime Video, likely dropping late 2025 or early 2026. If you want to stay updated on the latest casting news for the spinoff, check out the official Prime Video social channels or Maria Sten's personal Instagram for behind-the-scenes peaks at production.