5 Years Before ‘Reacher,’ Alan Ritchson Starred in Underrated Sci-Fi Series ‘Blood Drive’

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Before becoming known for his role as Reacher in the popular Prime Video series, Alan Ritchson had already built a career in film and television. One standout role was in the 2017 sci-fi series Blood Drive, where he played an LAPD officer who teams up with a captivating woman for a dangerous, high-speed race. The catch? The cars are fueled by human blood!

The original series was a thrilling ride, boosted by a talented cast including Christina Ochoa, Colin Cunningham, and Thomas Dominique. It drew heavily from the energetic, over-the-top style of ’70s and ’80s action movies. Despite receiving positive reviews and enthusiastic responses for its non-stop action and exciting story, Blood Drive was surprisingly canceled by Syfy after only one season of 13 episodes. Let’s revisit this fantastic post-apocalyptic show and explore why it should be on the radar of any Alan Ritchson fan.

Ritchson Headlines Syfy’s Underrated Dystopian Gem


Syfy

The sci-fi series Blood Drive takes place in a fractured America, an alternate 1999 devastated by massive earthquakes caused by fracking. In this chaotic future where resources like water and fuel are scarce, LAPD officer Arthur Bailey (Ritchson) is compelled to participate in a dangerous, high-stakes race. Amidst the societal breakdown, Bailey strives to protect those who can’t protect themselves and bring some good to a broken world.

Police officer Bailey, known as “Barbie”, finds himself in a brutal, cross-country race to the death with the dangerous Grace D’Argento. To survive, he has to abandon his principles and face off against deadly drivers in vehicles fueled by blood. As the race’s host, Julian Sink, observes, and Bailey’s partner, Chris, investigates his mysterious vanishing, Bailey and Grace must reach each checkpoint before their rivals – or face certain death.

James Roland, known for his work on The Purge, created Blood Drive, a show that stood out for its unusual format. Each of the thirteen episodes was inspired by a different type of low-budget exploitation film, exploring themes like insane asylums and cannibalism. David Straiton, who worked on Bates Motel, directed many of the show’s fast-paced episodes. Syfy executive Dave Howe called the series a nostalgic nod to 1970s grindhouse movies, praising its blend of intense action and dark comedy as both surprising and entertaining.

‘Blood Drive’ Is an Action-Packed Thrill Ride For Audiences


Syfy

Before landing the lead role in his latest action project, Ritchson was known for his work in the comedy series Blue Mountain State and supporting roles in films such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Wedding Ringer. His performance as Arthur Bailey in Blood Drive demonstrated his ability to carry a show and his star power. The series, which echoes the wild action of films like Mad Max and Conan the Barbarian, centers on Arthur’s fight to maintain his values in a world without rules. Ritchson felt a strong connection to the brave character, as he shared with Daily Dead:

Arthur’s willingness to risk everything – even his life – to save someone or stand up for what’s right really resonates with me. His personal struggles and courage mirror my own experiences, and that’s why I connect with his story so deeply. It feels very personal and relatable.

The series Blood Drive is a fast-paced and wild adventure that follows Arthur and Grace as they journey from Los Angeles to Phoenix. Their road trip is complicated by a competitive, dangerous race and a playfully antagonistic relationship with each other—not to mention the other eccentric drivers involved. When it premiered on June 14, 2017, the show quickly gained attention, drawing in 834,000 viewers for its first episode. Syfy even created a fun hotline where fans could ‘complain’ about the show’s most outrageous moments, further embracing its over-the-top, Grindhouse-inspired style.

Despite a strong start and positive reviews for its action, violence, and humor, the show Blood Drive experienced declining viewership, averaging between 300,000 and 400,000 viewers across its 13 episodes. Syfy cancelled the show immediately after the finale aired. While disappointed with the outcome, actor Ritchson accepted it, stating he learned to focus on his own work and trust the creative team on each project.

Just a few years after starting his career, Alan Ritchson landed a starring role in the hugely popular series Reacher. For three seasons—with more on the way—he’s captivated audiences as Jack Reacher, a former military police officer who wanders the country and constantly finds himself facing trouble. The Prime Video show has become a streaming sensation, earning critical praise and a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, largely thanks to Ritchson’s strong performance. A fourth season is scheduled to debut in 2026.

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2025-11-12 00:34