As the wait forReacherseason 4 on Prime Video continues, HBO Max has a new crime action show fromLost’s co-creator with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.Reacherseason 4is currently in production, and is scheduled to begin filming in the summer of 2025. The show’s upcoming season isexpected to adapt another book in Lee Child’sJack Reacherseries, focusing on its title character solving large-scale crime mysteries in action-packed fashion. While thecharacters inReacherchange every season as each new case unfolds, the protagonist is always at the center of every new investigation.
The series' popularity has also laid the groundwork for itsupcomingNeagleyspinoff, following Reacher’s friend of the same name who’s shown up in every season of the show.This expansion of the series by Prime Video makes it a budding crime action franchise, something that will no doubt keep positively contributing to its success as the series continues. However, there’s now a lull period as season 4 gets ready to film, and the spinoff continues production. Luckily, one ongoing series on HBO Max perfectly fills this space left behind.
HBO Max’s Duster Is A Great New Action Crime Show To Watch Before Reacher Season 4
The Series Is A High-Octane Crime Period Piece
The best replacement forReacherwhile waiting for season 4 is the crime thriller seriesDusteron HBO Max. The show was created byLostco-creator J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, best known for her executive producer roles onInto the BadlandsandTurn: Washington’s Spies. Set in 1972,Dusterfocuses on Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson), the first Black female FBI agent, as she works to bring down Ezra Saxton (Keith David), a powerful criminal leader in the Southwest. She’s joined by getaway driver Jim Ellis (Josh Holloway), their clashing personalities making them the perfect team for the job.
Dusterreunites Abrams and Holloway, the latter having portrayed Sawyer onLost. But the series' real focus is its intense action sequences, often having to do with cars. While only three episodes have been released as of writing, the series has already featured some memorable action sequences. However,just likeReacher, they’re compounded by memorable characters. Nina takes her job seriously and has endless determination to take down Ezra, while Jim is more laid back in his demeanor, while also being highly thoughtful in his approach.
The series has an adventurous side as well, going the extra mile to craft action sequences that are unique to the premise of the show. In addition,Duster’s featured shocking deathsand twists in the story already, making the eight-episode series all the more enthralling.It’s reminiscent ofReacher’s own eight-episode storylines, which always provide plenty of unpredictable moments across each investigation.Dustermirrors this while standing out for its 1970s setting, focus on cars, and an unlikely duo that play off one another well, making it a unique yet similar experience to the Prime Video show.
The HBO Max Show’s Critical Success Is Catching Up
Image via Max
Both shows don’t just share similarities on the surface; they’ve also received very similar praise from critics. According toReacher’s score onRotten Tomatoes, the series has an average critics score of 96%. This is the average for all three seasons, with season 1 at 92%, season 2 at 98%, and season 3 at 98%.Duster’sRotten Tomatoesscore is very similar, with the show sitting at 92%as of writing. This puts it on par withReacherseason 1, but just below the average for the Prime Video series as a whole.
Critics also emphasize how engaging both shows' stories are, even thoughReacherhas more serious moments thanDusterdoes.
Both shows are also praised for similar reasons,with critics pointing out fun, thrilling action sequenceswith memorable performances and characters. Critics also emphasize how engaging both shows' stories are, even thoughReacherhas more serious moments thanDusterdoes. Even so, both shows seem to prioritize the same ideas in their action-packed presentations, making the HBO Max show the perfect replacement until Prime Video’s franchise comes back.
Season 1, Episode 8: TBA
July 04, 2025
New episodes ofDusterarrive Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.
