Actor Alan Ritchson, known for starring as the title character in the Amazon Prime Video series "Reacher," and his wife Catherine announced their separation today after 20 years of marriage.

The couple posted a joint statement on Instagram Saturday, stating they had decided to end their marriage but planned to continue as friends focused on co-parenting. "After twenty years together, Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside one another in a different way," the statement read.

Ritchson, 43, and Catherine, 37, met as teenagers in Florida and married in May 2006. They have three sons together: Calem, 13, Edan, 12, and Amory, 10. Ritchson now resides in Brentwood, Tennessee. The pair emphasized that their children remain their priority.

"We grew up together. We built a life and a family together. And we are raising three incredible boys who will always be the center of our world," the statement continued. "Nothing can diminish what these years have meant to us — or the love and respect we will always share."

The couple said they intend to remain supportive of one another while giving each other space to grow. "The best gift we can give one another — and our boys — right now is friendship, grace and a commitment to becoming the strongest co-parents we can be," they added. "We also want to give each other room to grow into the people we are becoming."

They requested privacy during this transition, noting that "change is hard enough without the whole world weighing in" and asking for compassion especially for the sake of their sons.

Ritchson's comments preceded a major Netflix deal for future projects. The couple had briefly reconciled earlier this year after Ritchson filed for divorce in December, according to court records.

The announcement marks the end of a marriage that began when the pair reconnected years after an initial high school romance.