'Jack Ryan' season 3 is now available to stream — here's how to watch the Tom Clancy thriller starring John Krasinski

After a three-year hiatus, John Krasinski is back in the third season of "Jack Ryan." You can stream the action series on Amazon Prime Video.

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• "Jack Ryan" season three hit Amazon Prime Video on December 21.
• The action series stars John Krasinski, and is based on characters created by Tom Clancy.
• Prime Video costs $9/month on its own, or $15/month as part of a full Amazon Prime membership.

Following a three-year hiatus, "Jack Ryan" is finally back with new episodes. The third season of the action series premiered December 21 on Amazon Prime Video. 

"Jack Ryan" stars John Krasinski as the title character, a CIA analyst who gets pulled away from his desk job and must face new dangers in the field. The third season finds Ryan in Rome as he investigates a secret plot to resurrect the Soviet Empire. While searching for answers, he is wrongly accused of treason and must go on the run.

Check out the trailer for 'Jack Ryan' season 3

Krasinski is joined by returning cast members Wendell Pierce and Michael Kelly. New additions to the series for season three include Nina Hoss and Betty Gabriel. The show is created by Carlton Cuse ("Lost") and Graham Roland ("Dark Winds").

How to watch 'Jack Ryan'

You can watch "Jack Ryan" exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The entire third season premiered on December 21. Subscribers can also watch the first two seasons right now. 

Prime Video costs $9 a month as a standalone streaming service. It's also included as one of the many perks you get with a full Amazon Prime membership for $15 a month or $139 a year.

Amazon original series like "Jack Ryan" are available to stream in up to 4K quality on supported devices. The Prime Video app is available on most streaming players, mobile devices, and smart TVs from major brands. You can also access the service via a web browser. 

Can you watch 'Jack Ryan' for free?

You can stream "Jack Ryan" for free if you sign up for an Amazon Prime trial. New Amazon Prime members can get 30 days of the service for free. 

Amazon Prime trials include access to all of Prime's perks; there is no trial specific to just Prime Video. As long as you cancel before your first month is over, you can watch every episode of "Jack Ryan" without committing to a subscription. 

How many episodes are in 'Jack Ryan' season 3?

The third season of "Jack Ryan" features eight episodes. The first two seasons also feature eight episodes each.

Will there be a 'Jack Ryan' season 4?

"Jack Ryan" has been renewed for a fourth and final season. An exact release date has not been announced yet, but it's unlikely that viewers will have to wait another three years for the next batch of episodes. 

In addition to the final season, Deadline reports that a spinoff series starring Michael Pena is in development. 

Is Cathy back in 'Jack Ryan' season 3?

The character of Cathy Mueller, played by Abbie Cornish, was a series regular in the first season of "Jack Ryan," but she does not appear in seasons two or three. However, the show's twitter account has confirmed that Cornish will return to play Cathy in season four of "Jack Ryan."

What is 'Jack Ryan' based on?

"Jack Ryan" is based on characters created by author Tom Clancy. The character of Jack Ryan has appeared in several books written by Clancy, starting with "The Hunt for Red October," which was published in 1984. 

In addition to novels, Jack Ryan has also previously appeared in five big-screen movie adaptations:

• "The Hunt for Red October"
• "Patriot Games"
• "Clear and Present Danger"
• "The Sum of All Fears"
• "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit"

These films saw Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine all step into the role of Jack Ryan. The movies are not directly connected to the "Jack Ryan" TV series. 

Is 'Jack Ryan' worth watching?

"Jack Ryan" has a combined "69% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes for all three seasons. As of December 21, the third season holds a "67% Fresh" rating based on six reviews.

In general, critics praise the show for its exciting action scenes and solid performances, but some reviewers complain about the series' predictable plots and standard spy-genre elements.