Oscar Finlay won’t return in Reacher season 3, but action-packed episodes with many cast changes are promised.
Despite not returning, Malcolm Goodwin voices interest in reprising his role in future Reacher seasons.
Goodwin’s character left the possibility for a future return, so fans shouldn’t lose hope for seeing Finlay again.

Reacher is back for its third season on February 20, 2025, with Alan Ritchson once again portraying the eponymous ex-military investigator. Despite playing a key role in the first two seasons, legacy character, Oscar Finlay, will not be back for the new season, but the actor who portrays him has promised fans a lot of action ahead.

Malcolm Goodwin played Oscar Finlay as a series regular in Reacher season 1, and returned in a memorable guest appearance in the sophomore season, and he’ll be missed in the upcoming season, but there is every chance Finlay could return at some point as Reacher has already been renewed for a fourth season.

Oscar Finlay Won’t Return In Reacher Season 3 But Has Promised A Very Exciting Ahead For Fans

Reacher Season 3

Starring
Alan Ritchson, Maria Sten, Anthony Michael Hall, Olivier Richters, Brian Tee, Johnny Berchtold, Roberto Montesinos and Daniel David Stewart.

Based on the book, Persuader by
Lee Child

Created by
Nick Santora

Jack Reacher is a lone wolf, so that means each season of the popular action series the iconic hero is surrounded by a brand-new cast of characters, meaning fans have to bid farewell to characters like Roscoe Coughlin and Karla Dixon. However, Frances Neagley is always on board to lend a hand and keep each season connected, and has become a fan favorite with her own spin-off series set to follow her appearance in Reacher season 3. Oscar Finlay was a popular supporting character in Reacher season 1, and this led to his special guest appearance in Reacher season 2, but Malcolm Goodwin, who portrays the detective, confirmed his status for Reacher season 3 during an interview with Collider’s Aidan Kelley on the red carpet at the Saturn Awards:

Well, I’m not in Season 3, but I tell you what, it’s Nick Santoro, who’s a good friend of mine, and the creator of this show. And there’s Alan. I love Alan, so I would say expect more action, more adventure, more great storytelling, and a lot of amazing action.

This is disappointing for fans of the show, but there is clearly no bad blood over Finlay’s no show in the upcoming season, as he remains close to the creator, Nick Santoro, and he had some complimentary words for leading actor, Alan Ritchson. Reacher season 3 is based on Lee Child’s Persuader book, and it was looking like Finlay might have made an exciting comeback, as some of the action takes place in Boston, where Finlay is residing, and working as a detective. There is a chance Goodwin is lying about his involvement to keep it a surprise, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

Oscar Finlay Could Come Back In A Future Season Of Reacher And Goodwin Seems Keen On A Return

After Oscar Finlay assisted Jack Reacher and David O’Donnell with their Boston mission, he parted ways with them, but he assured them he would be available if they required help in the future, which suggests he could be set to return at some point in the future. Malcolm Goodwin confirmed his interest in reprising the role later on in the same interview with Collider:

I made a cameo in Season 2, so my character is still alive in the world, and a lot of characters don’t survive in the world of Reacher, but I’m still there. So hopefully, we’ll see.

Goodwin is right when he states that not all characters fare too well in the world of Reacher, with lots of violent incidences that seem to follow the ex-110th special investigator around. However, the creative team behind Reacher have clearly kept Finlay alive for a reason, and while he might not fit into the third season’s storyline, that doesn’t mean he won’t be back some day, and Goodwin certainly isn’t ruling it out. Watch this space.