Alan Ritchson has opened up about facing backlash from fellow Christians over his on-screen sex scenes in Reacher.
Since 2022, Ritchson has starred as the lead in Reacher, a TV adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels.
His character is a former U.S. Army military policeman who roams the country seeking justice.
Ritchson has revealed that some members of the Christian community have called him out for portraying intimacy outside of marriage.
The American actor, who has been open about the role of faith in his life, told GQ that he finds the criticism confusing.
He explained, “People have this weird relationship with fictional characters and sort of equate that to the real human being.”
“I don’t have that problem, making that distinction. I get criticized a lot by Christians who are like, ‘How dare you have an unmarried sex scene on TV and then talk about Jesus?’”
He added, “I’m sorry — I doubt that’s going to be part of the conversation when I’m standing at the pearly gates!”
Ritchson has played Jack Reacher in the hit Prime Video series since 2022.
He previously spoke about his faith with The Hollywood Reporter, stressing that his beliefs shape how he approaches life.
He said, “I’m a Christian quite simply because of what Jesus calls us to do. Love other people until death. It doesn’t mean we’re all to be hung on a cross, but how can I suffer for you?”
“That is a beautiful thing.”
Reflecting on his decision to publicly discuss his faith, Ritchson admitted he once feared it might cost him his career.
He recalled, “I remember telling my wife that it could be the last time I worked in this business.”
While he remains committed to his beliefs, Ritchson acknowledged that he doesn’t always align with other Christians, particularly in today’s political climate.
“Some have become the most vitriolic tribe,” he said, adding that such behaviour is “so antithetical to what Jesus was calling us to be and to do.”
Ritchson’s candid nature extends beyond his personal beliefs. His Reacher co-star Maria Sten told GQ that his straightforward approach mirrors that of his on-screen character.
Sten said in the same interview, “He says what he means and he means what he says, very much like Reacher in a lot of ways.”
“A lot of people try to sugarcoat things to make it sound pretty or correct. But, Reacher’s gonna Reacher and Alan’s gonna Alan.”
Season 3 of Reacher premiered on Prime Video on February 20.
A fourth season is already in the works.
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