‘Jack Ryan’ Season 2: John Krasinski Returns To Save The World (AGAIN) In Sensational Sophomore Season

I’m officially 100% in on Amazon Prime Video’s Jack Ryan. I wish I could say it was love at first sight, but that wouldn’t be accurate. I wasn’t a fan of the show’s pilot, and it took me a little while to warm up to the character of Jack Ryan. Initially, I was like, “Jeez, would it kill you to crack a smile every once in a while, Ryan?” But that was before I truly knew Jack Ryan. Perhaps before I truly knew myself? Nah. That’s a bridge too far.

On Friday, November 1st, the new season of Jack Ryan premieres on Amazon. If you enjoyed Season 1, you’re going to absolutely love Season 2.

The new season finds our favorite analyst turned globe-trotting hero traveling to South America to investigate a far-reaching conspiracy involving illegal arms and widespread political corruption in Venezuela. A host of familiar faces from Season 1 are working the case from multiple angles, reuniting Jack with his former boss James Greer (Wendell Pierce) and, eventually, with CIA black ops officer Matice (John Hoogenakker). Not only is the action heightened in Season 2 but the emotional stakes are also enhanced when it’s revealed that Ryan’s de facto partner Greer has a potentially fatal heart condition.

The international mystery is used to introduce a slew of new characters to the Jack Ryan universe as former House of Cards star Michael Kelly joins the cast as steely CIA veteran Mike November; Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) plays enigmatic intelligence agent Harry Baumann; and Jordi Molla portrays formidable antagonist Nicolas Reyes, who just so happens to be the President of Venezuela. Jovan Adepo (The Leftovers, Fences), Tom Wlaschiha (Game of Thrones), and Cristina Umaña (Narcos) are also newcomers who play pivot roles in the upcoming season.

In the biggest cast-related surprise of Season 2, Abbie Cornish’s Cathy Mueller, who had a starring role in Season 1, doesn’t appear in the latest batch of episodes.

Jack Ryan Season 2 feels more polished than its debut outing, a bit more confident. Not only does Krasinski seem more at home as the stoic hero, but the writing staff produced an engaging, multi-faceted season of television that organically connects multiple storylines. Much like Season 1, the slow-simmering mystery steadily unravels, compelling you to watch just one more episode. The new season is not only a joy to consume, but it’s also highly bingeable. I watched the final four episodes in a single sitting.

Jack Ryan isn’t the type of series you can view passively, but Season 2 does an extraordinary job of seamlessly integrating the new characters without giving the viewer whiplash. The acting as a whole is exemplary: Michael Kelly’s performance as Mike November truly stands out; you won’t be able to take your eyes off of Wlaschiha’s Max; and Wendell Pierce’s Greer once again serves as the perfect foil for the overly-analytical Jack Ryan. Plus, there’s a brief two-episode cameo from a burgeoning sitcom star (if you want to be spoiled you can visit IMDB) that will make viewers of a certain comedy smile.

Fans worried about the dreaded sophomore slump can rest easy. Jack Ryan is back and better than ever.

Jack Ryan Season 2 premieres Friday, November 1 on Amazon Prime Video.

Stream Jack Ryan on Prime Video