Neagley Star Maria Sten on Her Favorite Moment in the New Reacher Spinoff

Maria Sten, star of the new Prime Video series "Neagley," has revealed that the most significant moment of the first season was a simple handshake between her character, Frances Neagley, and Alan Ritchson's Jack Reacher. "It really is so pivotal and shows so much courage," Sten told Decider. The scene, featured in the season finale, marks a significant turning point for Neagley, who has struggled with haphephobia, or the fear of touch, throughout the season.

The "Reacher" spinoff follows Neagley as she teams up with Detective Hudson “Rats” Riley (Greyston Holt), Renee Birdwhistle (Adeline Rudolph), and Keno (Jasper Jones) to investigate the cult at Echo Canyon and its connection to the death of her childhood friend, Tommy Crane. The season delves into the origins of Neagley's phobia, making the handshake with Reacher a powerful symbol of her overcoming past trauma.

Sten described the scene as a way to "take advantage of the whole relationship that we’ve set up in three seasons of Reacher." She added that even with her character's growth, she remains true to her established personality, teasing, "she is still the same old Neagley who’s gonna sass Reacher."

The new series expands the "Reacher" universe by introducing new characters. Holt, Rudolph, and Jones, whose characters are not from Lee Child's book series, found creative freedom while honoring the established world. "We had a little bit of creative license to make them completely our own, but with still honoring the world," Holt explained.

Sten also discussed the responsibility she felt as the lead on "Neagley." "I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility and pressure to get it right and not disappoint the fans," she said, noting the pressure of adapting beloved source material while also branching out.

Regarding Neagley's affinity for cereal, Sten suggested it stems from a stunted childhood and a desire to indulge in simple pleasures she missed out on. "I think for me, looking at Neagley, is now that she is adult and secure and can call the shots of her life... she sort of allows herself the pleasures of childhood that she didn’t get to have back then," Sten said. She clarified that her character's preference for Cocoa Puffs in the U.S. is a nod to Coco Pops from her childhood in Denmark.

The cast also touched on some of the season's more shocking moments, including a scene involving Keno and a Tranqlara-intoxicated acolyte. Jasper Jones described the filming of his character's cereal-eating scene as one of the best days of his life, despite the lactose intolerance challenges.

Holt discussed his character Hudson Riley's moral compromise in destroying evidence for Neagley, calling it a "devil's bargain" made for the "greater good." He believes Hudson would not have made such a sacrifice for anyone else.

Looking ahead, the cast expressed interest in a second season. Rudolph and Jones are curious about the development of their characters' relationships and backstories, while Holt anticipates exploring the potential romance between Hudson and Neagley, emphasizing Hudson's respect for her.

Sten highlighted the significance of Neagley ending the season in therapy, rather than in a romantic embrace. "I think she’s so brave to decide to get help," Sten stated. "The whole season is about trauma and about how different people deal with trauma." She sees this as a sign of hope for Neagley's future, acknowledging that healing is not a linear process.

While "Neagley" introduces new elements, Sten confirmed that Easter eggs for "Reacher" fans are present, reinforcing the connection to the established universe. The series aims to balance its own narrative with the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering a fresh perspective within the "Reacher" world.