Accidental Action Hero

On Amazon’s Jack Ryan, John Krasinski Steps Out Of The Office And Into The Field As The Famed Cia Analyst

- Samantha Highfill

JACK RYAN’S LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.has gone from crunching numbers behind a desk to boarding a last-minute flight to Yemen, where he’s expected to help catch an international terrorist. It’s a good thing he’s an action hero…even if he doesn’t realize it yet.

Created by author Tom Clancy in 1984, the character Jack Ryan has appeared in 20 books and five film adaptations starring the likes of Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, Ben Affleck, and most recently Chris Pine as the Marine–turned– Wall Street stockbroker–turned–CIA analyst– turned–operative (–turned–president, depending on how far you’ve read). “What?! There’s other people who’ve done this role? That’s unacceptable, I quit,” jokes John Krasinski, 38, the star of Amazon’s new series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (premiering Aug. 31). Amazon clearly believes in the series, giving it a season 2 renewal before season 1 has even debuted. Coming off the streaming service’s success with the Golden Globe-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan will serve as a cornerstone of Amazon’s next round of original series, which also includes the Julia Roberts-led Homecoming.

Sitting in downtown Manhattan in early July, Krasinski—best known for playing Jim Halpert, the king of the reaction shot, on NBC’s The Office—is coming off one of the best years of his career. The Boston native directed and starred in the critically acclaimed box office hit A Quiet Place, which also starred his wife, Emily Blunt. “I don’t think I would have gotten A Quiet Place without Jack Ryan,” Krasinski says, reflecting on his recent success.