MAKING NEW FRIENDS is always fun. In a way, that’s one of the hooks of every new season of Reacher (and every Jack Reacher story overall), because the only character who really carries over from one to the next is the titular big guy himself (played expertly by Alan Ritchson). And, so, as a result, as our large hero gets himself into the middle of yet another mystery and/or deadly situation, we get to meet a group of stand-up people who he can learn to trust along the way.
One of those people in season 4 is Jacob Merrick, a small-town cop who rather early on establishes himself as one of the only people Reacher can really trust in the midst of a major conspiracy. Jacob enters the case after the mysterious death by suicide of his sister, whom Reacher encountered on the train in the very first scene of the season. Jacob is confused and befuddled by what’s happened, and both he and Reacher become determined to discover the truth.
Jacob’s unrelenting drive to find the truth combined with an obvious bit of sadness and regret is vital to season 4, as we can see the pain caused by the massive conspiracy (one that reaches into government bureaucracy, across seas, and involves potential terroristic threats) even on a small scale. Jacob also proves capable in his own right, as he plays a key part in one of the season’s most exciting action sequences as he and Tamara Green (Sydelle Noel) navigate a car chase that crescendos atop a small bridge. It’s intense!
But you also may get the sense that Jacob looks familiar. If his vibe feels familiar, well, it’s because this role was originally meant to be played by Jay Baruchel (who will instead appear in a role in season 5). But Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, who wound up playing Jacob himself is no slouch, having appeared in all sorts of movies and shows over the last couple of decades. Reacher is one of his most serious roles to date, but he always proves solid and entertaining.
Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette Plays Jacob in Reacher season 4
Marquette, who has been credited as both “Chris Marquette” and “Christopher Marquette” in the past, has been something of a staple on television and in films since his days as a child star in the ’90s. Now 41, his role in Reacher marks a serious, action-forward turn, but he’s previously been known for playing characters who are often comedic and fairly sarcastic.
On the big screen, his most famous role might be as Ryan Reynolds’s brother in the underrated holiday rom-com Just Friends. He also appeared as one of Emile Hirsch’s close friends in The Girl Next Door, was a part of the key cast for campy franchise horror favorite Freddy vs. Jason, crime drama Alpha Dog, and comedy farce Fanboys.
On the small screen, he made his debut in a 1991 episode of Barney and the Backyard Gang, before appearing as a guest in shows like The Nanny, Even Stevens, and ER. Most recently, however, he’s probably best known for his recurring role in the first season of Barry as one of Barry’s (Bill Hader) old Marine buddies. He also appeared in a series regular role in Joan of Arcadia and appeared in shows like Weeds, Criminal Minds, House, and Lucifer.
If you’re a fan of Marquette’s work and enjoy him on Reacher, you can follow him on Instagram, where he posts often and even shares behind-the-scenes footage of the show.
Evan is the culture editor for Men’s Health, with bylines in The New York Times, MTV News, Brooklyn Magazine, and VICE. He loves weird movies, watches too much TV, and listens to music more often than he doesn’t.
