Reacher season 3 will feature a new, important friendship for the titular character, something explained by series newcomer Anthony Michael Hall. The actor will be joining Reacher season 3 as Zachary Beck, a rug dealer who appears to be harboring a deeper secret about his professional life. While not much is known to viewers about what his role will entail, readers will recognize the name from Lee Child’s seventh book in the series, Persuader. The novel serves as the basis for the upcoming new season.

Speaking with TV Insider, Hall explained how Zachary will strike up a friendship with the main character in Reacher season 3, revealing the details of how the pair meet. Giving new context to his character, the actor reveals the titular protagonist is going to save his life before they form a connection. Check out what Hall had to say below:

The character is Zachary Beck. And on the surface he’s like a wholesale rug dealer, but this guy’s living like The Great Gatsby or a mobster like no other. Reacher kind of saves his a** in the opening of Season 3, and that leads to them kind of striking up a friendship.

Why Zachary & Reacher’s Friendship Will Be Important For Season 3

Reacher Is Usually A Loner

Reacher season 2 ended with the main character going back to his life of wandering the United States alone after saving his friends from danger. If he ends up forming a friendship with Zachary, then it seems like it will be something important, especially given how few connections he has in his life. However, given the shadowy things the new character might be up to behind the scenes, it doesn’t sound like their connection is going to last long. But it could make for more nuanced storytelling in the next batch of episodes.

Since Zachary is harboring a secret that seems to involve illegal activity, Reacher will inevitably feel the need to put a stop to it. However, if the duo end up becoming friends, it could make the protagonist feel conflicted about going against him. Even so, he’s seen firsthand the kind of damage illegal activity can bring to innocent people’s lives, meaning he’s liable to set aside any friendliness with him should he prove himself dangerous to others.

Reacher season 2 was weighed down by a major story problem, but Reacher season 3 is seemingly about to fix it with its perfect villain casting choice.

This will also help differentiate season 3 from the previous entries in the series. While Reacher season 2’s cast was filled with allies and friendly faces helping take down the conspiracy involving New Age, this time it seems Neagley will be the only familiar person he can trust. It will be especially true should Zachary turn out to be a core danger for him because of his secretive activities. Even though a friendship is going to form between the two characters, it doesn’t seem like the kind that will last for very long.