Susan Duffy could appear in the Neagley spinoff, thanks to this key moment in Reacher Season 3 finale

Reacher season 3 wrapped up with the kind of energy fans have come to expect: punchy action, grounded characters, and a tightly crafted storyline. But beyond the immediate resolution of the season’s main plot, the finale left behind something more subtle yet potentially game-changing.

In a brief yet loaded exchange, Reacher and Neagley discuss reuniting the old team from their military days, quietly hinting at a future storyline that might expand the series’ universe. This moment, simple on the surface, could pave the way for the return of FBI agent Susan Duffy, a fan-favorite character with the kind of presence that could thrive in the spotlight of the upcoming Neagley spinoff.

The world of Reacher and its reluctant hero

For those unfamiliar, Reacher is based on the wildly popular novels by Lee Child, following the journey of Jack Reacher, a former military police officer turned drifter. Wherever he goes, trouble seems to follow, or rather, injustice. Reacher steps in not because he’s looking for a fight but because he can’t walk away from one when someone’s being wronged. He’s a man of few words, guided by an unshakable moral code and the kind of tactical instinct that makes him both feared and respected.

In the Amazon Prime adaptation, Alan Ritchson plays the titular role with remarkable accuracy to the books, physically imposing, emotionally guarded, and always calculating. Visually, the show leans into a gritty and grounded tone. The lighting is often muted, the color grading warm and earthy, lending an almost film-noir texture to each scene. Unlike the Tom Cruise film adaptations, this version of Reacher feels heavier, more grounded in the kind of everyday realism that reminds viewers of '90s thrillers like Heat or The Fugitive. It’s an aesthetic that fits the character: stripped-down, raw, and deeply human.

Frances Neagley: a force in her own right

Among the recurring figures in the series, Frances Neagley stands out as someone who doesn’t need to be in the spotlight to command attention. Played by Maria Sten, Neagley is smart, composed, and perhaps even more mysterious than Reacher himself. A former colleague from the 110th Special Investigators Unit, she’s a problem-solver who works quietly but effectively. She shares Reacher’s sense of justice, but her methods are often even more surgical and discreet.

In the final episode of Season 3, Reacher casually floats the idea of getting the old team back together. That comment, while brief, feels like more than just nostalgic banter; it reads like a soft launch for something larger. Amazon has already begun developing a spinoff centered on Neagley, and while details remain scarce, the setup is in motion.

Why Susan Duffy is a perfect fit

Susan Duffy, introduced in Season 2 and played by Shaun Sipos, quickly made an impression as a capable, grounded FBI agent. She’s not flashy, but she doesn’t need to be. Her strength lies in her sharp mind and steady hand, and she carries a kind of quiet intensity that pairs well with the world of Reacher. When she joined forces with Reacher, it wasn’t a classic hero-sidekick dynamic; it felt like a true partnership, one based on mutual respect and shared values.

What makes Duffy’s return feel plausible, if not inevitable, is the fact that she already fits naturally into this world. She’s seen what Reacher and Neagley are capable of, and she’s held her own beside them. More importantly, she offers a perspective that complements theirs. Where Reacher can be blunt and Neagley reserved, Duffy strikes a balance between logic, empathy, and pragmatism.

Expanding the narrative without losing its soul

In television, spinoffs can be tricky. They work best when they preserve the spirit of the original while offering something distinct. Think Better Call Saul with its careful character work and moral ambiguity, or Angel, which evolved beyond Buffy the Vampire Slayer while remaining rooted in its themes.

The Reacher universe is well-suited for this kind of narrative branching. It’s populated with characters who operate in gray areas, who live by codes of their own making. Neagley is one of those characters. So is Duffy. By giving them space to breathe outside of Reacher’s shadow, the spinoff could explore different kinds of justice, more investigative, more methodical, and possibly more emotionally nuanced.

Visually, the spinoff could maintain the same grounded aesthetic but shift its tone slightly. Instead of the dusty highways and bare-knuckle brawls of Reacher, a Neagley-Duffy series might lean into urban intrigue, tech-savvy operations, and quieter forms of tension. The contrast would highlight the versatility of the universe without diluting its core appeal.

Timing is everything

The best time to launch something new is when the audience is still invested and still asking questions. The closing scene of Season 3 may have been the writers' way of testing the waters, gauging fan interest. By invoking the 110th unit, the showrunners open the door to deeper character development and new dynamics.

Susan Duffy’s inclusion in the Neagley spinoff wouldn’t just make sense; it would strengthen the narrative. She offers familiarity without predictability, and her presence would bring a grounded energy that complements Neagley’s precision. Together, they could lead a show that is not only thrilling but also layered, tackling issues of trust, power, and justice from a perspective we haven’t fully seen yet in Reacher.

Final thoughts

At its heart, Reacher is a story about standing up when no one else will. It’s about integrity in the face of corruption and strength without ego. Those values don’t belong to Reacher alone. They are vested in characters like Frances Neagley and Susan Duffy, individuals who move through the world with purpose and clarity.

Whether the Neagley spinoff stays grounded in military investigations or branches into more civilian conflicts, the inclusion of Duffy could be the key to anchoring its emotional core. It’s a move that feels organic, earned, and quietly powerful, just like the moment that sparked it.

Are you looking forward to the spinoff? Sound off in the comments section below.