Tom Selleck’sJesse Stonefranchise is perfect viewing for those waiting onReacherseason 3. While Tom Selleck has had hit movies like theThree Men and a Babyduology, TV is what made him a star. He famously had to pass onRaiders of the Lost Arkto star inMagnum, P.I., but this classic detective series still made his career. In recent years, Selleck has been best known for playing Frank Reagan on CBS seriesBlue Bloods, which will end in 2024 after a 14-season run.
Another of Selleck’s best known roles is the titular character in theJesse Stonemovie series. Stone is a troubled former LAPD detective fired for his drinking issues and forced to take the role of a small town police chief role. The franchise began with 2005’sStone Cold- which was actually the fourth novel in author Robert B. Parker’s book saga - while the most recent installment was 2015’sLost in Paradise.Despite Selleck’s interest in making moreJesse Stonemovies, his busyBlue Bloodsschedule prevented thisfrom happening.
Why Viola Davis Left The Jesse Stone Franchise (& Will She Return For The Next Movie?)
Viola Davis exited early from the Jesse Stone TV movie series fronted by Tom Selleck, but would she ever return as Officer Molly Crane?
Jesse Stone And Jack Reacher Have A Lot In Common
Jack and Jesse would be great penpals
Selleck was a big fan of the Parker books before beingcast inJesse Stone: Stone Cold, though this required the character to be aged up around 20 years from his novel counterpart. During anAV Clubinterview, Selleck described the character as “…good man with some rather toxic habits.” Despite his issues with alcohol and authority, at his core, Jesse is committed to seeing that justice is delivered - even if he has to bend the rules to see that happen.
Both the Jesse Stone and Jack Reacher novels were bestsellers before being adapted, with both following troubled protagonists leaving their old lives behind and who possess almost supernatural detective skills.
This could be seen right fromStone Cold, where to average the murder of a lover, he set up the killers in such a way as to force a gunfight. Jesse may not have the hulking build of Jack Reacher and is totally lacking in the latter’s wanderlust, but they still have much in common. Both theJesse StoneandJack Reachernovels were bestsellers before being adapted, with both following troubled protagonists leaving their old lives behind and who possess almost supernatural detective skills
Stone and Reacher are also crack shots, have remarkably active love lives and share a fondness for dogs. There are plenty of differences too; Reacher travels all over the country while Jesse sticks to Paradise, Massachusetts, andwhile Reacher can punch his way out of every situation, the world ofJesse Stoneis more grounded. Still, if they were forced to work together, Jack and Jesse might even become friends.
Tom Selleck’s Jesse Stone Series Is The Perfect Watch Until Reacher Returns
Reacher season 3 will finally arrive in 2025
The upcomingReacherseason 3will adaptPersuader, the seventh novel in Childs' series. Amazon will release season 3 in 2025, though an exact date has yet to be unveiled.Reacherhas been a big show for the streamer, though the almost two-year gap between seasons 1 and 2 - followed by the wait for a third series - has been trying for fans of the character.Reacherdevotees can make the wait for season 3 more tolerable by trying out Selleck’sJesse Stonesagainstead.
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise
2015
While each outing is somewhat standalone in terms of plotting, the series still has a whole world of supporting characters and recurring subplots.Jesse Stone’spacing is more slow-burn thanReacherand there are considerably fewer shootouts and car chases - but that makes the action moments hit harderwhen they arrive. Selleck is also fantastic as Stone; a man weighed down by his problems and failures, but his wry sense of humor and commitment to doing the right thing make him extremely relatable.
Jesse Stone 10 MUST Happen Now Blue Bloods Is Ending
A Jesse Stone comeback would be Paradise
Now thatBlue Bloodshas almost wrapped up, Selleck is being asked about the odds ofJesse Stone 10. The actor toldTV Insiderthat another movie “wouldn’t be the final one” and that “Jesse is a great character, and it would be fascinating to find out where he is quite a few years later.” Indeed,it’s almost a decade sinceLost in Paradiseaired, and Jesse would no doubt be long retired from the policeby the time the next film opens.
While Selleck starred in a fewJesse Stonemovies during the early years ofBlue Bloods, CBS eventually dropped the former as they wanted programming that appealed to a younger demographic. This accounts for the three-year gap between the eighth and ninth installments, with The Hallmark Channel producingLost in Paradise. Selleck’s schedule then kept him away from further entries.
Viola Davis appeared in the first fourJesse Stonemovies as Officer Molly Crane, exiting afterSea Change.
While Selleck underlined in the aforementionedTV Insiderchat that he doesn’t know what’s next for him, a newJesse Stonefeels like a natural move. There’s a real fanbase for the previous nine outings, and making another film would only reignite interest in the series and bring in new viewers. The continuing success of other shows based on hit novels - includingReacherorBosch- also highlights that there is an audience for these kinds of hard-boiled detective tales, so hopefully it won’t be too long untilJesse Stonereturns to Paradise.
Jesse Stone
The Jesse Stone franchise is a series of television films based on the novels by Robert B. Parker. The series follows Jesse Stone, a former LAPD detective who becomes the police chief of the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts. The films are noted for their character-driven plots, focusing on Stone’s battles with alcoholism, his troubled past, and the crime investigations he leads.
Reacher
Cast
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
