Meet ‘Reacher’s’ new villains
The Prime Video hit series “Reacher” is back for its much-anticipated third season, which is using the Lee Child book “Persuader” as its source material. Joining the cast as some of the new antagonists are Brian Tee and Olivier Richters, who play Quinn and Paulie, respectively.
Quinn has a dark history with Reacher, and Paulie is a character fans of the Reacher book series have been eager to see on the show, especially since he is bigger than Reacher, who is huge.
They found their man in Richters, a 7’2” former bodybuilder referred to as “The Dutch Giant.” He played Ursa Major in “Black Widow,” and has also appeared in “The King’s Man” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” Brian Tee played Ethan Choi in “Chicago Med.” He was also Shredder in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” and appeared in “The Wolverine.”
Lifestyle had a chance to have a chat with the two actors.
What does it mean for each of you to be joining “Reacher”? Were you fans of the show, or perhaps the book series?
Brian Tee: I was a fan, for sure. I was a Lee Child fan. I didn’t get through all of his books, but massive “Reacher” fan. Alan Ritchson and I actually worked together prior, too, we were in the same movie, though we didn’t get to work together all that much. But coming onto this series, I was a fan of Alan, and watching “Reacher” I’m floored by what it’s done. And it’s wonderful. It’s the hottest show on the planet right now, and to be a part of it is something really, truly wonderful for myself, for sure.
Olivier Richter: For me, I’ve seen Season One and Two before I got to casting, and so I was already a fan. And it was unreal that you’re a fan, and then half a year later, you’re on set with Alan and Brian, and that was an incredible feeling. Also from just an actor/career-wise, Amazon gave me the amazing opportunity to bring Paulie alive, and I’m ever thankful for that.
As a martial artist yourself, were you able to have any contribution as to Quinn’s fighting style?
Tee: Yeah, I think every great production, especially one like this, which is as action-packed as they get, has wonderful coordinators and directors and collaborators to really talk about the specific style or moves or things that you wanted to bring to that particular character. We had certain conversations about it but what I love about Quinn is that he’s more masterminding anything than physically imposing anything because he has the best number two on the planet to physically impose Reacher to the best of his abilities. What I think is great about our series is that Reacher has to go up against not only someone who’s as smart if not smarter but someone who’s as big, if not stronger than himself.
INQ: That’s a great setup for my next question. Book fans have been waiting for Paulie to show up on the series. Did you feel any pressure about their expectations?
Richter: Acting-wise I wasn’t nervous, because the casting let me show them and they were very happy. I was physically a little bit afraid, because he’s also a 120 kilo bodybuilder—he’s a little tank. (laughs) So I gained another five kilos of muscle, and I trained for four months with the best fight and stunt coordinator of “Reacher.” And that made me also feel very secure on set to handle Reacher as best as I could. So I had the acting part already down, and the physical part, Reacher helped me with that immensely. Yeah, as you’ve seen in the trailer, we also do some–not to give spoilers, but we are going at it, and there was a lot of preparation for it.
Tee: I love Olivier. He’s the only human on the planet that can call Alan, “little.” (laughs)
Richter: My little tank. (laughs)
Tee: Albeit tank, but little. (laughs)
What are you guys most excited for audiences to see with regard to your specific characters?
Tee: I love the mind battle I have with Reacher. I think that will really kind of elevate the series, especially this season. Reacher is obviously imposing, very strong and very muscular, but he’s also extremely smart. And I think what Quinn brings is, as far as another villain element, is that, there’s going to be a chess move and a chess match with him to outsmart him. And I think that’s what’s really going to take this season to the next level.
Richter: Okay, I think Paulie was just looking for a gym bro and Reacher messed up. And now you see all the irritations in every episode, and they’re going to hit it off. It’s going to be intense. And I love that people are going to see that it’s not just, “Hey, here’s my right hand, beat them up.” No, Paulie gets a real character and a buildup. And that’s what I love. It’s not just, here’s the big guy, some few punches, and then it’s done. So I love what they did with Paulie from the book.
The first four episodes of “Reacher” Season Three are now streaming on Prime Video.
