Jack Reacher’s Inspiration: 54-Year-Old Novel Behind An 85% RT Hit Show

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I’m really enjoying Prime Video’s Reacher – it feels different from most action thrillers. What I didn’t know is that the books it’s based on were actually inspired by a really old novel – it’s over 54 years old! And get this – that original book also has a TV show adaptation, and it’s actually really well-received, with an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s really compelling to watch a character like Jack Reacher overcome obstacles using his size and strength. The Prime Video series Reacher is praised as a good adaptation of Lee Child’s novels because it emphasizes this key part of his personality – something the Tom Cruise movies didn’t fully capture.

Lee Child has really established Jack Reacher as a strong character in the world of action thrillers. But, like any author, Child was influenced by other books when creating the Jack Reacher series. A particular book from 1971, which has also recently been adapted into a popular TV show, was a major source of inspiration for him.

Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal Was One Of The Biggest Inspirations Behind Lee Child’s Jack Reacher

Lee Child recently shared a memory (in an article from The Guardian) about Fredrick Forsyth, the author of The Day of the Jackal. He was struck by how Forsyth cleverly broke the typical rules of thriller writing. After reading the book, Child was impressed and curious about what made it so effective.

For years, most thrillers followed a predictable pattern, keeping readers guessing whether the hero would succeed. However, The Day of the Jackal broke from this tradition by daring to center its story around a real historical figure – Charles de Gaulle, the President of France – as the target.

Because the book’s subject was widely covered in the news before his death in 1970, readers already knew a lot about him and what happened. Author Frederick Forsyth intentionally didn’t focus on the assassin’s background, motivations, or origins. As Lee Child pointed out, Forsyth demonstrated that how something happens can be just as compelling as who did it, why they did it, where it happened, and when it happened.

Lee Child’s Jack Reacher shares similarities with the protagonist in The Day of the Jackal. Reacher is presented as an enigmatic wanderer, with a deliberately obscured past, and each novel places him in a new, unknown location. The real draw, though, is watching him unravel crimes no matter where his travels take him.

The Day Of The Jackal Has A Brilliant TV Adaptation Starring Eddie Redmayne

The Prime Video series Reacher stays true to the original books and successfully captures the mysterious and captivating qualities of the character, brilliantly brought to life by Alan Ritchson, who perfectly embodies Reacher’s quiet strength, subtle wit, and focused energy. Similarly, The Day of the Jackal has been adapted into a compelling TV show with a strong lead performance.

Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal, starring Eddie Redmayne as the main assassin, has already received two Golden Globe nominations. Eddie Redmayne is nominated for Best Actor, and the show itself is up for Best Television Series – Drama. Critics loved the first season, praising its gripping storyline, strong acting, and suspenseful nature.

Even though the show updated the story and took some liberties with the original book, both audiences and critics enjoyed it. Its success on streaming platforms led to a second season being greenlit.

One Jack Reacher Book Is Also Dedicated To The Day Of The Jackal’s Author

Marcell Piti / ©Peacock/Sky/Carnival Film & Television / Courtesy Everett Collection

I recently read an interview with Lee Child where he shared something really interesting – his book Without Fail is actually a tribute to Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal. He even built in some direct nods to it! Knowing how much that book influenced Reacher’s creation, I think any fan of the Prime Video show should definitely check out The Day of the Jackal before the next season drops. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for what inspired the series.

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2025-11-04 15:28