When Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher met his match in Prime Video’s Reacher season three, it wasn’t just a battle of brawn — it was the moment Olivier “The Dutch Giant” Richters broke through as one of television’s most imposing new faces.
Standing at a towering 7 foot 2 inches, Richters became the biggest challenge Reacher has faced yet.
But behind the scenes, Richters revealed that Ritchson’s support helped him to land the role in the first place.
“Alan played a significant role in this process; he mentioned that he found me, possibly on Reddit or from an Instagram video,” Richters revealed to Cinema Express. “He suggested to the casting team, ‘If you need a big guy, consider Olivier.’ I owe a lot to Alan for giving that tip, as it was a key reason I got the casting opportunity.”
Based on Lee Child’s Persuader, Reacher season three wastes no time introducing Richters’ hulking enforcer, Paulie — a henchman whose strength, suspicion, and size make him one of Reacher’s most intimidating foes yet.
Ritchson himself later told Business Insider that the intensity between the two boiled over during one particularly intense fight scene, when things got a little too real. “I took a punch accidentally one time,” Ritchson admitted. “And I was like, ‘I don’t think I would want to get in a fight with this guy in real life.’”
According to Ritchson, he was actually knocked unconscious during the take — a testament to the sheer physical power Richters brings to screen.
The respect between the two actors, though, runs deep. Richters recalled that their first meeting came during stunt training for a now-iconic arm-wrestling scene that showcases their size difference and on-screen chemistry.
“The first time we met was during stunt training for an arm wrestling scene,” he added to Cinema Express. “He was great at offering helpful tips for my performance, like how to react authentically when someone falls out of a truck. He didn’t have to do that, but it made my acting feel more realistic. I truly appreciated his professionalism and support on set.”
That genuine mentorship helped Richters fine-tune his performance — and, judging by the response from fans, it paid off. Paulie quickly became one of the standout characters of the season, not only for his physical presence but for the tension he brings to Reacher’s undercover mission within a dangerous criminal organization.
But Reacher isn’t the only place you’ll be seeing the Dutch actor. Richters, who first caught international attention for his viral Kratos cosplay back in 2022, has quietly been building one of the most distinctive résumés in Hollywood. He’s already appeared in Black Widow, Borderlands, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and The King’s Man — and his next role might be his most perfect match yet.
Production is now underway in Australia on the Street Fighter movie reboot, and Richters has officially been revealed as Zangief — the hulking Russian wrestler and fan-favourite brawler from Capcom’s iconic video game series.
If you thought Zangief was big in the 1991 original, wait until you see Richters in action. At 7’2″ (218 cm), he’s even taller than the fictional Red Cyclone himself.
From the arm-wrestling pits of Reacher to the brutal world of Street Fighter, Olivier Richters is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognisable performers. It’s no surprise Ritchson knew what kind of power “The Dutch Giant” would bring to the screen.
Reacher season three is available to stream on Prime Video.
Featured image credit: Instagram/thedutchgiant/primevideoreacher
