Photo credit: www.techradar.com
Last year, we reported on the challenges faced by the first season of Citadel, which struggled to maintain a favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes, hovering at a mere 51%. In contrast, its spin-off series, Citadel: Diana and Citadel: Honey Bunny, fared better with ratings of 82% and 75%, respectively.
However, despite their higher critical scores, both spin-offs were abruptly canceled after just one season. The decision seems to stem from a combination of viewer reception and critical reviews, which were often unkind. Reviewers described the original series with terms like “as generic as they come,” noted it was often about “style over substance,” and even likening it to a memory-based drawing of an action blockbuster done by a child: “what you’d get if a child tried to draw an action blockbuster from memory.” One reviewer even went so far as to state it was “so frustratingly low-effort it’s honestly kind of offensive.” Despite these harsh assessments, the series attracted significant viewership, indicating a disconnect between critical opinion and audience interest.
On a brighter note for fans of these spin-offs, Vernon Sanders, Head of Amazon MGM TV, indicated that the narratives from Citadel: Honey Bunny and Citadel: Diana will be integrated into the upcoming season of the flagship series. He stated: “Having successfully traversed India and Italy, storylines from both spin-offs will be woven into the second season of Citadel.” This suggests a commitment to building on the existing framework of the show while possibly addressing some of the critiques it faced in its inaugural season.
What’s Next for Citadel?
According to Sanders, the upcoming season promises to be a thrilling endeavor with high-stakes storytelling. He noted, “Season 2 of Citadel will be our most exhilarating yet. With new cast additions and bold, cinematic ambition, the new season will deepen the emotional journeys of Nadia, Mason, and Orlick as they face the relentless force of Manticore.” Furthermore, he provided a tentative premiere window, targeting the second quarter of 2026.
The cancellation of the spin-offs comes as little surprise, as reports indicate they “have not been global breakouts,” and both series had been awaiting news of their futures since their respective debuts in September and December. The decision signals a shift from a broader Citadel Cinematic Universe, with multiple interlinked shows to a renewed focus on the main series, leaving fans hopeful that the upcoming season will remedy past issues and elevate the overall quality of the narrative.
You May Also Enjoy
Source
www.techradar.com