Blue Ridge, a procedural that once aired on a sleepy Western networkthat you’ve never heard of, is now sitting aboveReacherin the Prime Video Top 10. Yep, you read that one correctly. Amazon’s biggest ever show is being held down by a series you’ve just found out about today. So how has this happened?
The Appalachian-set sleeper hitdidn’t make much noise when it debuted last year on INSP, a Western-leaning network mostly known for syndicated classics and low-budget originals. But Amazon clearly saw something in it—and now,Blue Ridgeis pulling bigger numbers thanReacheritself, with fans finally catching on to what’s being described asBoschmeetsYellowstonewith a rural twist.
After returning from a four-year hiatus in 2023,Blue Ridgebecame anunexpected hit on INSP, prompting Amazon to snap it up for streaming, and it wasn’t just for extra content. It’s legit popular with the masses, surprisingly so—beating outReacheron Prime Video’s own charts.
“This new series builds on the film’s original storylines,” saidDoug Butts, Executive VP of INSP, when the show returned. “At its core,Blue Ridgeis about the strength of community and the power of human connection, and it celebrates the human experience with all its complexity.”
Translation? It’s the kind of show your dad would love—and you’ll end up binging in three days.
What Is ‘Blue Ridge’?
Set in the mountains of North Carolina,Blue RidgestarsJohnathon Schaechas Sheriff Justin Wise, a former Green Beret turned small-town cop. If that sounds like the kind of resume Jack Reacher would respect, you’re not wrong—but Sheriff Wise isn’t just a knock-off, he’s got his own way of working and he doesn’t take bullsh*t.
The series picks up after the 2020 movie of the same name, which also starred Schaech and introduced us to the complicated relationship between Justin and his ex-wife Ellie (played bySarah Lancaster, who reprises her role). And audiences are loving what they see, clearly.
And don’t worry,Alan Ritchson’sReacherisn’t going anywhere. Season 4 is already in production and based onGone Tomorrow. ANeagleyspin-off is also on the way. But in the meantime, with no new episodes for months,Reacheris cooling off whileBlue Ridgeis heating up.
Blue Ridgecan be watched now onPeacock, while the sequel series is on Prime Video.
