Paulie, the giant security guard facing off against Jack Reacher in Reacher Season 3, is played by Dutch actor and bodybuilder Olivier Richters. Nicknamed “The Dutch Giant,” Richters was chosen after an extensive global search for an actor who could physically tower over the already imposing Alan Ritchson.
Fans of Lee Child’s novel Persuader, which this season adapts, will remember Paulie as a massive, intimidating presence. The casting team faced a unique challenge: finding someone who could make the 6’3″ Ritchson appear comparatively small on screen. According to Child, finding the right actor “was literally an international search”. The result is a character whose sheer size creates immediate tension and sets the stage for a significant physical showdown.
Who Is Olivier “The Dutch Giant” Richters?
At 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm) tall, Olivier Richters brings a unique physicality to the role of Paulie. Before becoming an actor, he built a career as a bodybuilder and fitness model, which explains his formidable build. His stature has naturally steered him toward roles that require an exceptional physical presence.
While Reacher marks a major television role for him, Richters has appeared in several high-profile films. He played Ursa in The King’s Man and had a role as a guardsman in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. His casting as Paulie continues this trend, placing him opposite one of television’s most physically dominant heroes.
The Dynamic Between Reacher and Paulie
The relationship between Jack Reacher and Paulie is one of immediate, tense opposition. In the story, Paulie works as private security for a powerful antagonist. His job is to be an unmovable obstacle, a role his size perfectly suits.
Lee Child explained the core of their interactions, highlighting Reacher’s defiant nature:
“This guy is bigger than Reacher; he’s huge, he’s scary. Is Reacher going to defer to him? Absolutely not. He’s going to needle him as much as he can, simply because that’s who Reacher is.”
This dynamic provides both tension and moments of humor throughout the season. The audience, and Reacher himself, understand from their first meeting that a major physical confrontation is inevitable. Their repeated verbal clashes and tests of strength, like an arm-wrestling match shown in early episodes, serve as a prolonged build-up to that final fight.
Why Paulie Is a Crucial Character in Season 3
Paulie is more than just a large obstacle. He represents a specific type of challenge for Reacher. While Reacher often uses his own size and strength to intimidate others, Paulie flips that script. For once, Reacher is not the biggest or physically strongest person in the room.
This forces the hero to rely on his cunning, technique, and psychological warfare. The taunts and mind games Reacher employs are, as Child notes, a way of “softening him up” and “destabilizing him” before their eventual fight. Paulie’s presence tests Reacher’s confidence and strategy in a way few other opponents can.
The extended runtime of a streaming series, compared to a feature film, allows this rivalry to develop over multiple episodes, adding depth to both characters.
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Where You Might Have Seen Olivier Richters Before
While Reacher is likely to be his breakout role for many viewers, Olivier Richters has been building his filmography. His most notable appearances include:
- Ursa in The King’s Man (2021)
- A Guardsman in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- Tic-Tac in the Dutch film The Blood of Zeus
His unique look has also made him a recognizable figure in the fashion and fitness world, featuring in advertising campaigns and magazines.
Reacher Season 3 is now streaming on Prime Video. The first three episodes are available, with new episodes released weekly.
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