Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette has joined the fourth season of Prime Video’s Reacher after completing an urgent late-night self-tape audition in just 15 minutes. He describes the role of New Jersey police officer Jacob Merrick as a long-awaited opportunity to show a different side of his acting after more than 30 years in film and television, and says the experience quickly reshaped his plans for the following six months.

Marquette auditioned on a Friday, was cast the next day, flew to Toronto on Sunday and began filming on Monday. Season 4, based on Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow, follows Jack Reacher after a subway encounter draws him into a dangerous conspiracy involving powerful adversaries; Marquette also discussed working with lead Alan Ritchson and performing unexpected stunt work. He contrasted this rapid casting process with modern self-taped auditions, which he says have largely replaced the collaborative, in-person relationships actors once built with casting directors.