Reacher Season 3: Alan Ritchson Recalls Brutal Stunt Mishap That Felt Like ‘Seventh Circle of Hell’; Reveals He Got Knocked Unconscious

Alan Ritchson, the main star from Amazon’s Reacher series, disclosed an alarming backstage story about the making of the high-energy final episode in the third season.

As I shared recently, executing a high-action stunt left me momentarily unconscious, serving as a stark reminder of the intense physical requirements involved in portraying the indomitable character, Jack Reacher.

I had a quick spell on the ground after performing an action-packed move, which highlighted how tough it can be to play the strong and unstoppable Jack Reacher.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ritchson shared a nerve-wracking incident during a coordinated fight sequence that didn’t go as planned. The stunt involved his character being thrown through a table, a move he had rehearsed thoroughly. However, the actual impact in real time was much more forceful than expected.

He reminisced, “I was taken away, and we figured out the camera issue several times. Later, he thrust me through the table with such force that I penetrated right through it, landing in the depths of the seventh circle of torment.

15 hours later, I regained consciousness. Upon waking, I found myself needing to reassure my children that I was well because they were on set, and I didn’t want them to fear that I had passed away or wouldn’t recover. Those minutes were the most agonizing of my life, he remarked.

Ritchson confessed that he was resolute about executing the daredevil act personally, disregarding the concerns of his team. He demanded a tight camera angle focused on his facial expressions throughout the intense scene, intending to convey the character’s suffering to the audience.

He expressed, “The main idea here is to see Reacher being tossed around violently for five continuous minutes. And as I watched, I found it entertaining. ‘This is enjoyable,’ I thought. ‘It’s what everyone seems to be into right now… I’m standing in for Reacher, and we’re all sharing this experience.’ That’s why I wanted the camera to focus only on my face throughout the scene as I get knocked through a table on the barn floor.

Despite his team frequently cautioning him about the dangers and suggesting a stand-in, Ritchson persisted in performing the scene himself, preferring to maintain its realness and emotional resonance for viewers.

The intense three-week filming session for only brief moments of combat footage demonstrates the physical strain endured. Ritchson reminisced about the toughness of the ordeal, labeling it demanding yet fulfilling.

Looking back at that high-octane production, I can’t help but share this insight: In the grand scheme of 28 minutes worth of output, that brief, electrifying moment lasted just three seconds – and yet, it encapsulated the essence of my life for those three weeks. It was a whirlwind of excitement!

Reacher Season 3‘s finale is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2025-03-28 17:37