‘Jack Ryan’: John Krasinski’s Timely 4-Season Thriller Series

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It’s been a while since John Krasinski has been in a major movie or TV show. If you’re a fan and want to see his work, you should check out his popular series, Jack Ryan, which ran for four seasons between 2018 and 2022. Interestingly, the show feels particularly timely right now, as a key storyline closely reflects the current political situation between the United States and Venezuela. We’ll discuss that connection in just a moment.

The series features John Krasinski as Jack Ryan, a character first introduced by author Tom Clancy in 1984. The original Jack Ryan was a CIA analyst during the Cold War who advanced to become National Security Advisor, Vice President, and eventually President. The show’s version of Ryan also starts as an analyst, but is set in the present day. By the final season, he’s taken on the role of Acting Deputy Director at the CIA.

So far, five different actors have taken on the role of Jack Ryan – Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine among them. However, many believe Michael Krasinski’s portrayal is the strongest, and here’s why it’s worth checking out.

Season 2 of ‘Jack Ryan’ Dives Deep into Venezuela’s Politics


Amazon

The second season starts with Ryan, now leading the CIA’s Terror, Finance, and Arms Division, giving a lesson to new agents about Venezuela. He quizzes them on which country holds the world’s largest oil reserves, and surprisingly, none of them know the answer. It really makes you question the vetting process at the CIA! Ryan then tells them the correct answer is Venezuela.

After the initial mention of Venezuela’s oil, the story centers on President Nicolas Reyes, played by Jordi Mollà, who is famous for his role as the villain in Bad Boys II. Reyes is mismanaging the country and pursuing nuclear capabilities, leading the United States to want him removed from power. However, removing him won’t be simple; it will take Ryan and his team eight episodes to complete the mission.

The storyline of this season closely mirrors current world events. Recently, the United States arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It’s a bit confusing keeping track of who’s who – it feels like that famous Spider-Man meme where multiple versions of him point at each other!

President Maduro is currently on trial in the US, accused of drug trafficking. He’s been in power for 13 years and recently won reelection in 2024, though reports suggest he actually lost the election by a significant margin, receiving only 30% of the vote. Interestingly, a character on the show, President Reyes, also loses an election with the same 30% result, but refuses to leave office. There are quite a few parallels between the two situations. You’ll have to watch the show to find out what they are – no spoilers!

‘Jack Ryan’ Is Consistently Realistic


Amazon Prime Video

Carlton Cuse, the creator of Jack Ryan, seems to have an uncanny ability to foresee current events – perhaps it’s no surprise coming from the mind behind Lost. Aside from the recent focus on Venezuela, Jack Ryan consistently delivers a believable and gripping story. Each season tackles a different, timely threat – from tracking a Middle Eastern terrorist to uncovering a scheme to revive Soviet power, and finally, exposing corruption within the CIA and the fight for control of the drug trade. While fictional, the storylines feel incredibly relevant and ripped from today’s headlines.

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Each season feels incredibly well-researched, with storylines deeply rooted in history and a sense of realism. What really sets the show apart is its main character, Ryan. He’s not a typical action hero – he’s not a ruthless killer or a smooth-talking spy. He’s surprisingly relatable, even a little shy at times, and his dedication to his work is clear as he grows and improves throughout the series.

The show is boosted by excellent acting from a very talented cast. Wendell Pierce, known from The Wire, perfectly embodies Ryan’s old boss and close friend, James Greer, capturing his worries and instincts flawlessly. Michael Kelly continues his streak of appearing in spy and political dramas, and he’s great here as well. He begins as the CIA station chief in Venezuela, then transitions to working as a private contractor. You’ll really enjoy these characters – and there’s plenty more to love about the show.

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2026-01-10 18:37