Why does Paulie from Reacher Season 3 look familiar? Here's where you have seen the star before 

Reacher Season 3 (Image Source: Prime Video)
Reacher Season 3 (Image Source: Prime Video)

Fans watching Reacher Season 3 often pause the screen when the main villain's bodyguard appears. His face feels familiar right away, and that reaction is not random.

Many viewers sense they have seen him before in another show or film. The reason is clear and direct. Olivier Richters plays Paulie from Reacher Season 3. He is a Dutch actor and bodybuilder known for his size and steady screen presence.


Paulie from Reacher Season 3: Olivier Richters

Reacher Season 3 (Image Source: @PrimeVideo/ YouTube)
Reacher Season 3 (Image Source: @PrimeVideo/ YouTube)

The actor behind the muscle

Richters brings a strong physical presence and calm confidence to the screen. Casting directors often choose him for tough or disciplined roles.

That pattern explains why his performance feels so familiar. He worked in both television dramas and action films before he joined the cast of Reacher Season 3. Each role added to his visibility, and his screen time grew over the years.

He stands at a massive 7 feet 2 inches tall. This height earned him the nickname "The Dutch Giant." His physical stature makes him perfect for the world of Reacher. But he offers more than just size. He uses his posture and eyes to act, and that skill comes from experience.


Olivier Richters' major film roles you recognize

Richters did not arrive in this series by chance. He appeared in huge blockbusters between 2021 and 2024. You likely recognize him from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He played Ursa Major in the film Black Widow (2021).

Fans remember the scene where he arm-wrestles the Red Guardian in a Russian prison. That specific moment introduced him to millions of viewers globally.

He also shared the screen with Harrison Ford recently. Richters played the intimidating henchman named Hauke in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). He chased the heroes through the film and provided a serious physical threat. These high-profile movies made his face known to audiences everywhere before he took the role of Paulie from The Reacher Season 3.

He also had roles in The King’s Man (2021) and the video game adaptation Borderlands (2024). In The King’s Man, he appeared as the "Huge Machine Shack Guard." These parts required him to be scary and powerful. He mastered that specific energy, and he brings it directly to his new role.


Television work and discipline

Richters also built his resume through television. He played Duncan in the crime series Gangs of London. That show reached large audiences through streaming platforms. Even his short appearances stayed with viewers due to his unique look and calm delivery.

Paulie from Reacher Season 3 feels familiar because Richter often plays men shaped by discipline. He understands how to act with restraint. That quality carries over from his earlier work and gives his scenes weight. He does not rush his movements. He waits, reacts, and lets the silence speak for him.


Why the performance works

Richter seamlessly fits into the story of Reacher Season 3. The series relies on tension and measured action. Richters knows when to move and when to stay still. That control keeps scenes focused and sharp. He does not rely on loud moments to make an impression.

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The writing for Season 3 also helps him shine. The character does not explain himself with long speeches. Instead, his actions speak. That choice allows Richters to use his strengths without distraction. He commands attention just by walking into a room.


A steady rise to fame

By the later episodes, the character feels fully settled in the story. Viewers no longer question why he looks familiar. They recognize Olivier Richters as an actor who earned his place through steady work. The familiarity comes from his roles in global films like Black Widow and Indiana Jones.

Richters brings all of that history into this part. That is why the casting of Paulie from Reacher Season 3 is so effective. He leaves a mark on the audience. His career trajectory suggests we will see even more of him after the success of the season. His path from bodybuilder to blockbuster actor is now complete.

Edited by Priscillah Mueni