Reacher: Maria Sten’s spin-off excites fans, but here’s what they don’t know about her role

Reacher fans have been buzzing about Maria Sten’s upcoming spin-off, but not everyone knows the full story behind her journey to this moment.

In the hit show, Maria plays Frances Neagley. She is as loyal as it gets and is also quite mysterious. Her character took no time in becoming a fan favorite. She is loved for her sharp instincts and courage. And also how she's always there for Reacher and understands him better than most.

However, what many don’t know is that Maria wasn’t originally cast for this role. She was initially rejected during the casting process. It was only after the creative team changed their minds that she landed the part that would kickstart her rise in the Reacher universe.

Maria Sten’s path has been a tough one, from almost missing out on the Neagley role to now headlining her spin-off show. The spin-off is centered around her character and is likely to reveal a good deal about Neagley.

Let's get into it a bit more.

Reacher: Maria Sten thinks "Neagley is a real bad*ss"

Frances Neagley is a weapon disguised as a woman. If she takes a shot, it most definitely lands. In Season 3 of Reacher, one of her standout scenes involves an ambush, but Neagley doesn’t mind. She's always prepared.

She is calm and sizes up the threat. She crafts a distraction in seconds and even cracks a joke after shooting one of the men. That’s just deadly and as cool as it can get.

And yet beyond all that, she’s also Reacher’s loyal partner. There’s warmth under her steel exterio. She exhibits a sense of loyalty that’s so rare. And that makes her upcoming spin-off not just exciting but also deeply deserved.

According to Backstage, Maria Sten had shared:

"I got the audition, I did my take, and—fun fact—I didn’t get the job. But then they realized that they had to take the character in a different direction, so they came back to me and said, “We want what you did.” Nick Santora is usually very clear on his characters; but early on, there wasn’t necessarily a lot of time to sort all that out. So I just filled in the blanks, had conversations with Santora, and went with my gut."

She also added:

"I just love what he came up with in creating this bad*ss character. For me, the term “female bad*ss” is overused these days; we like to say that about any tough female character. But, in the truest sense of the word, I think Neagley is a real bad*ss. At the same time, she has this endearing quality about her. I think she’s unique in a way that I don’t feel we have seen in many “bad*ss” female characters.”

And she’s right. Neagley’s real strength isn’t just in her ability to fight. It’s also the way she fights smart and protects the people around her. It’s how she's deadly but also deeply human that makes her unforgettable.

Sten also spoke a bit about the spin-off:

"We are living in a world that is oversaturated with spinoffs, sequels, and prequels. And, of course, the show still honors the spirit of “Reacher,” but it is very much Neagley and its own thing. I’m just really excited that she can stand on her own, outside of being Reacher’s support.”

Neagley has always stood tall in Reacher’s shadow. And now, it’s finally time she steps into her own spotlight.

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