Six months after Jack Ryan's third season premiered, the titular former U.S. marine turned CIA operative is back to save the world one last time. The fourth and final season of the spy thriller finds Jack (John Krasinski) promoted to a new role as the CIA's Acting Deputy Director. Tasked with investigating any corruption or unethical modes of operation in the government and military, Jack quickly uncovers a series of suspicious black ops activities. As he begins to dig deeper into the matter, he discovers a convergence between a drug cartel and a terrorist organization, as well as a conspiracy that hits way too close to home.
Familiar faces and new blood must unravel the case before it's too late for any of them. Two of Jack's most trusted allies, James Greer (Wendell Pierce) and Mike November (Michael Kelly), once again return for another high-stakes adventure. Pierce and Kelly recently spoke to CBR about Jack Ryan's production schedule, the show's witty dialogue, and some stand-out moments from the new season.
CBR: Jack Ryan's third and fourth seasons were filmed back-to-back. How tough was it to maintain that intensity without a normal break?
Wendall Pierce: It was tough because we were shooting in the middle of Covid, and for Mike and John and being away from their families, that was tough. But I am glad we did it that way. We didn't have to wait between seasons the way we had to between the second and third seasons.
Michael Kelly: Sure, there was the monotony of the Covid testing every day and having to break sometimes when you didn't want to take a break because of Covid. The family was tough. Otherwise, no, I could keep going another year and a half. I could have kept going. It was hard, but you know that what you are doing is great, and we have a great time doing it. We are traveling to all these cool places, so it was a really good time.
What's been the most fun about establishing this team of Ryan, Greer, and November over the last four seasons?
Pierce: The personalities and the friendships, on and off screen, and the quality of the work, in front of the camera and behind the camera. We shot a series of cinematic films. That's nothing to shake a stick at, as they say. I am very proud of that, and it's very satisfying, something you take away and you wish could continue.
Kelly: And you know that it is going to be seen by a truly worldwide audience. No matter where we went in the world, people knew the show. That's pretty wild. We go to some pretty crazy places, but people know the show. To know [that] it's loved by people all over the world [is] incredibly rewarding.
The banter between the characters stands out as a highlight.
Pierce: That's the one thing we realized over the years and different seasons. That banter, humanity, and connection [are] the things that people tap into. It's the thing that makes them go, "I understand those men and women." Then the intrigue comes with the work that they are doing, where they are going, and what they are trying to do. That is the key. We turn off the lights and watch film because we want to recognize that humanity reflected on the screen.
Every episode features snappy dialogue, riveting drama, and high-octane action. Which sequence truly challenged you this season?
Pierce: It's interesting because, for me, it was keeping all the pieces in line and in sequence. Filming back-to-back made it more difficult. So to just make sure chronologically, what was happening and the intelligence I was doing was making sense… There were a lot of times I would say, "Yeah, but I know this already." Then you have to stop and realize, "No, you don't. At this point, he does not know this information." I had to keep a chart of where I was in the knowledge of the intelligence I was pursuing.
Kelly: See, that's where my tab work comes in.
Pierce: Oh, he is monotonous with those tabs and different colors of pens. I will always remember that about Mike Kelly.
Michael, your character goes through some intense moments. What stood out for you?
Kelly: It's so hard without giving away any spoilers. The most intense scene for me? I don't know.
Pierce: The shootouts and everything.
Kelly: Yeah, which shootout? There was water and a helicopter and guns involved. It was an incredibly taxing day, but man, we got some really cool stuff in that scene. It was very difficult to shoot.
Jack Ryan Season 4 Premiers on Prime Video on June 30.