Introduction

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (also known simply as Jack Ryan), is an American political action thriller television series, based on characters from the fictional “Ryanverse” created by Tom Clancy, that premiered on 31 August 2018, on Amazon Prime Video.

The series was created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. Cuse serves as an executive producer alongside John Krasinski, Michael Bay, and Mace Neufeld, among others. Krasinski also stars in the series as the title character, making him the fifth actor to portray the character after Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine from the film series.

Although the series is reportedly coming to a close, there will be a third and fourth season, as well as a potential spin-off series.

Part of the Jack Ryan Franchise.

Outline

Season 01

Follows the titular CIA analyst as he is wrenched from the security of his desk job into the field after discovering a string of dubious bank transfers, which are being carried out by a rising Islamic extremist named Suleiman.

Season 02

Sees Jack in the middle of political warfare in a corrupt Venezuela at the centre of a global conspiracy involving nuclear weapons.

Season 03

Jack Ryan is on the run and in a race against time. Jack is wrongly implicated in a larger conspiracy and suddenly finds himself a fugitive out in the cold. Now, wanted by both the CIA and an international rogue faction that he has uncovered, Jack is forced underground, crisscrossing Europe, trying to stay alive and prevent a massive global conflict.

Season 04

In May 2022, before the release of the third season, it was confirmed the series would end after four seasons, possibly aiming for a 2023 date.

Cast

• Main:
  • John Krasinski as Dr. Jack Ryan, a Marine veteran and financial analyst working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), specifically the Terror, Finance, and Arms Division (T-FAD) under the Counterterrorism Centre (CTC); later promoted to head of T-FAD and now temporarily working on Capitol Hill.
  • Krasinski’s interpretation of the character is said to be inspired by Harrison Ford’s portrayal in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Director and executive producer Daniel Sackheim said: “What was so great about the Harrison Ford movies was that they were about an everyman hero. He was a guy who wasn’t a superhero. He was heroic, but he was vulnerable. He wasn’t afraid to be scared. He was a regular man and a hero.”
  • Wendell Pierce as James Greer, Ryan’s boss in T-FAD, a non-practicing Muslim and former CIA station chief in Karachi; later promoted to deputy station chief in Moscow, and now reassigned to Venezuela by request.
  • Abbie Cornish as Dr. Cathy Mueller (season 1), a physician specializing in infectious diseases, and Ryan’s love interest.
  • Ali Suliman as Mousa bin Suleiman (season 1), a Lebanese-born French Islamic terrorist skilled in finance, radicalised after graduating from Dauphine, seeking to establish a unified Islamic caliphate against the West.
  • Dina Shihabi as Hanin Ali (season 1), Suleiman’s wife.
  • John Hoogenakker as Matice (aka “Garth” and Jeff, season 2, recurring season 1), a leading black ops operative with the CIA Special Activities Centre.
  • Noomi Rapace as Harriet “Harry” Baumann (season 2), a German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) agent tracking her former associate Max Schenkel in Venezuela.
  • Jordi Mollà as Nicolás Reyes (season 2), president of Venezuela.
  • Francisco Denis as Miguel Ubarri (season 2), President Reyes’ chief advisor and childhood friend, a concerned general.
  • Cristina Umaña as Gloria Bonalde (season 2), the major contender in the upcoming Venezuelan presidential election and wife of the missing Minister of Interior and Justice.
  • Jovan Adepo as Marcus Bishop (season 2), a retired US Navy special crewman now fixing boats, reluctantly recruited back into action with call sign “Uber (Select)”.
  • Michael Kelly as Mike November (season 2), CIA station chief in Venezuela, twice divorced from US Ambassador to Venezuela Lisa Calabrese.

• Recurring:
  • Benito Martinez as Senator Jim Moreno.
  • Karim Zein as Samir, Suleiman and Hanin’s son.
  • Nadia Affolter as Sara, Suleiman and Hanin’s elder daughter.
  • Arpy Ayvazian as Rama, Suleiman and Hanin’s younger daughter.
  • Haaz Sleiman as Ali bin Suleiman, Suleiman’s younger brother.
  • Amir El-Masry as Ibrahim, the most trusted member of Suleiman’s sect.
  • Goran Kostić as Ansore Dudayev.
  • Timothy Hutton as Nathan Singer, CIA Deputy Director of Operations.
  • Adam Bernett as Patrick Klinghoffer, Ryan’s colleague in T-FAD.
  • Eileen Li as Noreen Yang, Ryan’s colleague.
  • Mena Massoud as Tarek Kassar, Ryan’s colleague.
  • Zarif Kabier as Jabir.
  • Kamel Labroudi as Yazid.
  • Shadi Janho as Amer.
  • Victoria Sanchez as Layla Navarro, Ryan’s colleague.
  • Matt McCoy as Dr. Daniel Nadler, leader of the contingent of hostage physicians from Doctors Without Borders.
  • Marie-Josée Croze as Sandrine Arnaud, a French intelligence officer.
  • John Magaro as First Lieutenant Victor Polizzi, a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator.
  • Daniel Kash as Shelby Farnsworth, CIA Director of Operations.
  • Jameel Khoury as Colonel Al Radwan.
  • Kenny Wong as Danny, Singer’s aide.
  • Emmanuelle Lussier-Martinez as Teresa, Ryan’s colleague.
  • Al Sapienza as Lieutenant General Marcus Trent, CIA Associate Director for Military Affairs.
  • Chadi Alhelou as Fathi, Hanin’s uncle.
  • Stephane Krau as Lieutenant Bruno Cluzet.
  • Yani Marin as Ava Garcia, Victor’s drone pilot partner.
  • Jonathan Bailey as Lance Miller.
  • Natalie Brown as Rebecca.
  • Blair Brown as Sue Joyce, Director of the CIA.
  • Ron Canada as Bobby Vig, Director of National Intelligence.
  • Youness Benzakour as Ismail Ahmadi.
  • Michael Gaston as US President Andrew Pickett.
  • Julianne Jain as Marabel.
  • Susan Misner as US Ambassador to Venezuela Lisa Calabrese (season 2).
  • Tom Wlaschiha as Max Schenkel (season 2), a contract killer, former German special forces and BND officer.
  • Allan Hawco as Coyote (season 2).
  • William Jackson Harper as Xander (season 2), a CIA computer specialist.
  • Arnold Vosloo as Jost Van Der Byl (season 2), a South African arms trafficker.
  • Michael O’Neill as Senator Chapin (season 2), a US Senator and chairman.

• Guest:
  • Victor Slezak as Joe Mueller, Cathy’s father (“Pilot”).
  • Jenny Raven as Dr. Yen (“French Connection”).
  • Cynthia Preston as Blanche Dubois (“Black 22”).
  • Lee Tergesen as Stanley Kowalski (“Black 22”).
  • John Robinson as Buster (“The Wolf”).
  • Numan Acar as Tony (“Sources and Methods”).
  • Conrad Coates as Colonel Robert Phelps (“The Boy”).
  • Karen LeBlanc as Kalie Horn (“Inshallah”).
  • Jonathan Potts as Dr. Roger Wade (“Inshallah”).
  • Frank Whaley as Carter Estes (“Cargo”).

Production

Development

On 22 September 2015, it was announced that Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland were developing a television series adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series of novels. The potential series was described as “a new contemporary take on the character using the novels as source material”. Production companies involved with the project were slated to include Paramount Television, Platinum Dunes and Skydance Media. A week later, following a bidding war among multiple television networks, it was announced that streaming service Amazon Video had purchased the rights to the series.

Amazon proceeded to put the production into development during which time they ordered three scripts written by Cuse and Roland. On 16 August 2016, it was announced that the production had been given a straight-to-series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes.

In January 2017, it was announced that Morten Tyldum would direct the pilot and that Daniel Sackheim would direct multiple episodes and produce the series.

On 24 April 2018, it was reported that Amazon had renewed the series. The second season will be set in South America, where Ryan takes on “a dangerous, declining democratic regime.” On 14 May 2018, it was reported that Richard Rutkowski had served as cinematographer for the pilot and that Checco Varese had acted in the role for the following seven episodes of season one.

On 14 August 2018, it was announced that Phil Abraham was joining the series as an executive producer and would direct the first two episodes of the second season.

On 04 September 2018, it was reported that Dennie Gordon would direct three episodes of season two and serve as an executive producer.

On 13 February 2019, Amazon renewed the series for a third season at the TCA press tour.

On 24 October 2019, Paul Scheuring has been reported to be the showrunner for season three, as well as an executive producer. Scheuring stepped down as showrunner in January 2020 “after discovering he wasn’t a good fit”. He was replaced by Vaun Wilmott, a writer and producer on Star Trek: Discovery.

Casting

On 29 April 2016, it was announced that John Krasinski had been cast in the series’ title role. On 03 November 2016, it was reported that Abbie Cornish had been cast as Ryan’s love interest Cathy Mueller. On 16 December 2016, it was announced that Wendell Pierce, Ali Suliman, and Dina Shihabi had been cast in series regular roles. In March 2017, it was announced that Peter Fonda, Mena Massoud, Timothy Hutton, and Al Sapienza had been cast in recurring roles. On 05 June 2017, it was reported that Amir El-Masry had joined the series in a supporting role.

Alongside the announcement of the series’ renewal, it was confirmed that Krasinski and Pierce would return for the second season. On 04 May 2018, it was reported John Hoogenakker had been promoted to a series regular for season two after previously appearing in season one in a recurring capacity. On 20 July 2018, it was announced during Amazon’s San Diego Comic-Con panel that Noomi Rapace had joined the main cast for season two. In August 2018, it was announced that Michael Kelly, Jovan Adepo, Jordi Molla, Cristina Umaña, and Francisco Denis had joined the cast of season two as series regulars. On 25 September 2018, it was reported that Tom Wlaschiha had been cast in a recurring role for season two.

Filming

Jack Ryan was filmed in multiple locations. On 10 May 2017, Krasinski was spotted filming his scenes in Washington, D.C. For the next several days the TV series was also shot in Maryland, Virginia, Quebec, London, and Morocco. Some scenes were shot in Paris and Chamonix, France.

The first season features approximately 1,000 visual effects shots, including the opening bombing run in the pilot episode.

Production for season two began in mid-2018 in Europe, South America, and the United States. Shooting locations included Bogotá, Colombia (standing in for Venezuela), London, Moscow and New York.

Production on the third season of Jack Ryan began in May 2021, with locations including Prague, Czech Republic.

Release

Marketing

During September 2017, a series of promotional teasers were uploaded across the TV series’s official social media accounts, culminating with the final teaser showing first footage of John Krasinski as Jack Ryan which was released on 03 October 2017. On 07 October 2017, the series made its debut at the New York Comic Con coinciding with the release of a new teaser trailer. Krasinski, Cornish and creators Cuse and Roland attended the NYCC panel, where they also debuted the first seven minutes of the pilot episode.

On 30 January 2018, the Super Bowl trailer for the series was released online, five days before the football event and marking the first time that Prime Video has released a Super Bowl ad for one of its original shows. In a statement, Amazon Studios’ head of marketing Mike Benson said, “Given the colossal scope and scale of the series coupled with the popularity of Tom Clancy’s novels, we knew Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan would be a natural fit for Prime Video’s first Super Bowl ad. The global nature of the audience provides us with a unique opportunity to give viewers a look at this thrilling new series coming to Prime.” It also announced the show’s release date for 31 August. On 11 June 2018, the official trailer for the series was released. On 04 July 2018, a trailer entitled “Presidents”, featuring quotes from US Presidents Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and John F. Kennedy, was released in tandem with US Independence Day.

On 27 July 2019, a teaser for the second season was released online.

Premiere

On 16 June 2018, the series held its world premiere at the 58th Annual Monte-Carlo Television Festival at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The event included a screening of the series’ pilot episode that was attended by cast members John Krasinski, Dina Shihabi and Wendell Pierce, alongside series creators, showrunners and executive producers Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland.

Home Media

Paramount Home Media Distribution released Blu-ray and DVD disc editions of the first season of Jack Ryan on 04 June 2019. The Blu-ray edition includes deleted scenes and Dolby Atmos soundtrack not available when viewing through Amazon Prime.

Trivia

• Unlike most previous instalments in the Jack Ryan film series, the show is not based on any of Tom Clancy’s novels.
  • Krasinski described the plot as a “ripped from the headlines” story based on current geopolitics.
• According to lead actor John Krasinski, the CIA Headquarters in Langley (VA) granted the production access to parts of the complex that had never been filmed before.
• For the scenes at Sulamein’s compound, the production filmed at a 13th century kasbah on the outskirts of Marrakesh in Morocco.
• Robert Pine played John Krasinski’s father on The Office and is the real-life father of Chris Pine, the previous Jack Ryan actor.
• In the books, Cathy Mueller is an eye surgeon. In the show, she is an epidemiologist.
• As a measure of authenticity for the action sequences, executive co-producer Michael Bay connected the production team with Military Technical Advisor Kevin Kent who had earlier advised Bay for productions such as The Last Ship (2014) and his “Transformers” series of films, etc.
• During a conversation between Greer and Ryan about getting access to a mobile (cell) phone, Greer mentions trying a loved ones birthday or anniversary.
  • An almost verbatim conversation takes place between Dan Murray, Ryan and Petey when they are trying to access a password protected account in Tom Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger (1994).
• The character Jack Ryan got his degree at Boston College, located in Chestnut Hill, a neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts. The actor John Krasinski is from Newton, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.

Jack Ryan Series

You can find a full index and overview of the Jack Ryan Franchise here.

• Series 01 (2018):
  • Episode 01: Pilot.
  • Episode 02: French Connection.
  • Episode 03: Black 22.
  • Episode 04: The Wolf.
  • Episode 05: End of Honour.
  • Episode 06: Sources and Methods.
  • Episode 07: The Boy.
  • Episode 08: Inshallah.

• Series 02 (2019):
  • Episode 01: Cargo.
  • Episode 02: Tertia Optio.
  • Episode 03: Orinoco.
  • Episode 04: Dressed to Kill.
  • Episode 05: Blue Gold.
  • Episode 06: Persona Non Grata.
  • Episode 07: Dios y Federacion.
  • Episode 08: Strongman.

• Series 03 (?2022):
  • Episode 01: Falcon.
  • Episode 02: Old Haunts.
  • Episode 03: Running with Wolves.
  • Episode 04: Our Death’s Keeper.
  • Episode 05: Druz’ya i Vragi.
  • Episode 06: Ghosts.
  • Episode 07: Moscow Rules.
  • Episode 08: Star on the Wall.

• Series 04 (?2023):
  • Currently filming (as at May 2022).
  • ?2023.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Patricia Riggen … (3 episodes, 2018).
  • Daniel Sackheim … (3 episodes, 2018).
  • Andrew Bernstein … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Dennie Gordon … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Phil Abraham … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Carlton Cuse … (1 episode, 2018).
  • Morten Tyldum … (1 episode, 2018).
• Producer(s):
  • Michael Bay … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Tom Clancy … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Carlton Cuse … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • David Ellison … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • José Luis Escolar … producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Andrew Form … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Brad Fuller … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Ra’uf Glasgow … co-producer / producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Dana Goldberg … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Annie Jacobsen … consulting producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • John Krasinski … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Mace Neufeld … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Graham Roland … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Marcy Ross … executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Allyson Seeger … co-executive producer / executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Lindsey Springer … co-executive producer / executive producer (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Patrick Aison … supervising producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Nazrin Choudhury … producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Kiegan Downs … associate producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Robert F. Phillips … producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Daniel Sackheim … executive producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Morten Tyldum … executive producer (8 episodes, 2018).
  • Andrew Bernstein … executive producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Todd Brown … co-producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Vince Calandra … executive producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Mickey Fisher … consulting producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Jill Footlick … producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Melissa Gelernter … co-producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Gina Gonzalez … associate producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • David Graziano … executive producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Thomas Hayslip … producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Daria Polatin … co-producer (8 episodes, 2019).
  • Karim Abouobayd … line producer: Morocco / line producer: morocco (6 episodes, 2018).
  • Vaun Wilmott … producer (6 episodes, 2021).
  • Xavier Roy … line producer: paris / line producer: Paris (4 episodes, 2018).
  • Dennie Gordon … executive producer (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Darin Rivetti … co-producer (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Ahmed Abounouom … line producer: Morocco / line producer: morocco (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Phil Abraham … executive producer (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Eric Chabassier … associate producer: Paris (1 episode, 2018).
• Writer(s):
  • Carlton Cuse … (created for television by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Carlton Cuse … (written by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Carlton Cuse … (story by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Graham Roland … (created for television by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Graham Roland … (written by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Graham Roland … (story by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Graham Roland … (teleplay by) (17 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Tom Clancy … (based on characters by) (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Daria Polatin … (story editor) (10 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Daria Polatin … (written by) (10 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Daria Polatin … (teleplay by) (10 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Nolan Dunbar … (story editor) (9 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Nolan Dunbar … (written by) (9 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Annie Jacobsen … (written by) (3 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Annie Jacobsen … (teleplay by) (3 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Vince Calandra … (written by) (2 episodes, 2019).
  • David Graziano … (written by) (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Patrick Aison … (story by) (1 episode, 2018).
  • Patrick Aison … (teleplay by) (1 episode, 2018).
  • Nazrin Choudhury … (written by) (1 episode, 2018).
  • Stephen Kronish … (story by) (1 episode, 2018).
  • Stephen Kronish … (teleplay by) (1 episode, 2018).
• Music:
  • Ramin Djawadi … (16 episodes, 2018-2019).
• Cinematography:
• Editor(s):
  • Paul Trejo … (5 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • John M. Valerio … (5 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Sarah Boyd … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Vikash Patel … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Mark Goldman … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Stephen Semel … (2 episodes, 2019).
• Production:
  • Genre Arts.
  • Push, Boot.
  • Platinum Dunes.
  • Skydance Television.
  • Paramount Television.
  • Amazon Studios.
  • Carlton Cuse Productions (uncredited).
• Distributor(s):
  • Amazon Studios (2018-) (World-wide) (all media).
  • Amazon Prime Video (2018-) (World-wide) (video) (VOD).
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2019) (Germany) (DVD) (and Blu-ray) (season 1).
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray) (season 1) (through Universal Pictures Benelux).
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 1) (through Universal Pictures Benelux).
  • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2019) (Germany) (DVD) (release through) (season 1).
  • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray) (through).
  • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (DVD) (through).
• Release Date:
  • Series 01: 31 August 2018.
  • Series 02: 31 October 2019.
  • Series 03: 21 December 2022.
  • Series 04: ?2023.
• Running Time: 40-64 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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