Chris Pratt reprises his character James Reece in the upcoming prequel series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which is scheduled to premiere in August 2025. While Pratt’s presence is significant in the first episode, his appearances are limited as the storyline quickly shifts focus to other characters, allowing the spin-off series to develop its own narrative identity.
Set years before the original series, the prequel explores Reece’s early days in the Navy as a Lieutenant alongside Ben Edwards, played by Taylor Kitsch. Although Pratt’s character does not dominate the screen time, James Reece remains a pivotal figure throughout the series, with frequent mentions by Edwards highlighting the deep bond between the two. This connection adds emotional depth, especially considering the unresolved consequences seen at the end of The Terminal List season one.
Focus Shifts to Ben Edwards in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
The spin-off centers on Taylor Kitsch’s portrayal of Ben Edwards, a CIA operative who supported James Reece during the first season. Edwards became a fan favorite due to his intelligence and combat skills, and his unexpected death provoked strong reactions from the audience. Showrunner David DiGilio noted that the passionate response to Edwards made him the ideal lead for this new series, which aims to explore his backstory and motivations more thoroughly.
Through this focus on Edwards, Dark Wolf seeks to shed light on his actions and the weight of his decisions, providing fresh layers to the franchise. This narrative shift also helps distinguish the prequel from the main storyline, offering fans a deeper understanding without overshadowing the original.
Setting the Stage for the Franchise’s Future
The arrival of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf marks a promising expansion of the franchise, opening a new chapter that runs alongside the original series. With seven episodes planned, the prequel has the potential to evolve into its own multi-season story, broadening the narrative world that audiences have come to enjoy.
Chris Pratt’s involvement as executive producer and his return as James Reece ensure continuity, while the emphasis on new characters like Ben Edwards invites viewers to invest in the unfolding drama from a fresh perspective. As the franchise grows, this series could deepen the exploration of military and intelligence intricacies while maintaining the suspenseful and emotional core that defined the initial run.
““The passion audiences felt for this character was what made him perfect to lead the franchise‘s first spinoff series.”” —David DiGilio, Showrunner
““Having Chris Pratt appear as a supporting character in the show is a treat for fans, but it would detract from the main story if he were there too much.”” —David DiGilio, Showrunner
