From Roscoe to Dr. Simms: Why Willa Fitzgerald's New Netflix Show is the Perfect Follow-Up for Reacher Fans

Hey there, fellow TV enthusiasts! If you're anything like me, you probably still find yourself thinking about the electric chemistry between Jack Reacher and Officer Roscoe from that stellar first season of Reacher on Prime Video. I know I do. That unresolved tension, the will-they-won't-they vibe that was cut short by Reacher's nomadic lifestyle—it left a mark, didn't it? Well, I've got some fantastic news for all of us who've been missing that specific dynamic. It turns out we might not have to wait for a miraculous Roscoe return to the world of Margrave, Georgia. The actress who brought her to life, the incredibly talented Willa Fitzgerald, is headlining a brand-new series that promises to capture that same captivating romantic spark, and it's hitting our screens very, very soon.

Let's rewind for a second. Reacher Season 1 was a phenomenon. It wasn't just the bone-crunching action or Alan Ritchson's pitch-perfect portrayal of the hulking drifter. A huge part of its heart came from the grounded, believable connection he formed with Roscoe. They were partners in solving a conspiracy, and that partnership naturally—and beautifully—blossomed into something more. But true to the character from Lee Child's books, Reacher is a man who can't stay put. He walked away, leaving their story poignantly unfinished. Season 2, while great in its own right, introduced a whole new team and mission. It gave us a tiny, subtle nod to Roscoe, but it was clear the show had moved on. And let's be real, with a new book (and likely a new season) often comes a new romantic interest for our favorite ex-MP. So, hoping for a full-blown Roscoe comeback in Reacher might leave us waiting forever.

But here's where things get exciting. Willa Fitzgerald isn't sitting around either! She's starring in an upcoming Netflix medical drama called Pulse. Now, I know what you're thinking: "A medical show? That's nothing like a crime action thriller!" And you're right, on the surface. Pulse is set in the high-stakes world of a Miami trauma center, following the doctors and staff who face life-and-death decisions every single day. Fitzgerald plays Dr. Danielle "Danny" Simms, a lead character navigating this intense environment.

The magic, the part that should make every Reacher-Roscoe fan sit up and take notice, is in the show's core relationship. The main narrative driver of Pulse is the complex, evolving romance between Fitzgerald's Danielle and her colleague, Dr. Xander Phillips, played by Colin Woodell. From the promotional material and descriptions, their dynamic sounds incredibly familiar. They're two professionals thrown together in a chaotic, high-pressure workplace, trying to figure out their feelings for each other amidst the daily crisis. Sounds a lot like a cop and a drifter solving murders in a small town, doesn't it?

Think about it:

• The Setting: Instead of a corrupt town, the pressure cooker is a hospital ER. The stakes are just as high, just more medical.

• The Dynamic: Two capable people forced to rely on each other professionally, with a magnetic personal attraction that's hard to ignore.

• The Central Conflict: Just like Reacher and Roscoe struggled to define their relationship due to his lifestyle and the dangers of their investigation, Danielle and Xander will seemingly grapple with the demands of their careers and the emotional rollercoaster of their jobs. Their romance is described as something they have to "figure out," which is the exact kind of unresolved, compelling tension we loved before.

So, while Pulse is a completely different genre, it seems Willa Fitzgerald is stepping into a role that will demand the same kind of emotional authenticity and chemistry she brought to Roscoe. It's a chance to see her build another slow-burn, complicated relationship from the ground up. For us, it's the perfect spiritual successor to that Reacher Season 1 romance we've been craving.

Now, I'd be lying if I said I've completely given up hope on seeing Roscoe again. The Reacher TV series has shown it's not afraid to bend the rules of the books. Remember Captain Finlay making a surprise appearance in Season 2? Or Neagley showing up in Seasons 1 and 3 in ways that differ from the source material? The door isn't technically slammed shut. But the show's structure—mirroring the books with new adventures—makes it a long shot. The producers seem focused on forward momentum.

That's why shifting our focus to Pulse feels so right. It's a new story, a new challenge for Fitzgerald, and a fresh take on the "high-pressure workplace romance" blueprint. We get to see a fantastic actress explore similar emotional territory in a brand-new context. As of 2026, Pulse is slated for release very soon on Netflix, directed by Kate Dennis. The pieces are all there for another addictive, character-driven story.

So, what can we expect from Pulse compared to Reacher?

In the end, Pulse isn't a replacement for Roscoe's story—nothing could be. But it's the next best thing: a promising new series built around the talented actress we loved in that role, giving us a new couple to root for in a similarly tense, high-stakes environment. It's a chance to fall in love with a new will-they-won't-they story, all over again. So, mark your calendars, set your Netflix reminders, and get ready to feel that familiar, wonderful angst. Our fix for compelling, complicated TV romance is just around the corner. I know I'll be watching the second it drops!