Eight years ago, Amazon MGM and the Russo Brothers set out to build Prime Video's next mega-franchise—a globe-spanning spy universe with shows set in multiple cities. The price tag? Hundreds of millions. The result? A critical disaster. The first series, Citadel, was panned by reviewers, and two spin-offs were canceled after a single season each. Yet here we are in May 2026, and Citadel Season 2 is quietly becoming one of the biggest streaming hits on the platform.
According to internal data, the second season has already climbed to the number two spot globally on Prime Video, trailing only The Boys. It's a remarkable turnaround for a show that many had written off as a costly misstep. While critics haven't yet weighed in with enough reviews for a Rotten Tomatoes score, audiences are speaking with their viewership—and they're impressed. Early viewer ratings for Season 2 are actually higher than those for the debut season, suggesting the series has found its footing.
What Is Citadel About?
At its core, Citadel is a classic spy thriller, complete with global missions, double-crosses, and high-octane action. The series stars Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, and Stanley Tucci as elite agents of a secret international organization. After their agency is wiped out by a powerful enemy, the survivors must reassemble to stop a new threat that could endanger all of humanity. It's a familiar formula, but one that clearly resonates with a broad audience.
For fans of the genre, the show delivers all the expected tropes: exotic locations, tense standoffs, and twists that keep you guessing. If you enjoy the kind of intricate, globe-trotting thrillers that Apple TV+ excels at—like Shining Girls—Citadel offers a similarly addictive, if more straightforward, experience.
Why Did the Franchise Nearly Collapse?
The Citadel franchise was the pet project of former Amazon MGM head Jennifer Salke, who recruited top-tier talent from directors to writers. But behind the scenes, the production was plagued by problems: showrunners quit, scenes were completely reshot, and the six-episode first season ballooned to a staggering $200 million. While the show performed decently, the spin-offs failed to capture the same audience, making the interconnected universe unsustainable. When Salke left the company, the entire franchise was put on ice.
Now, with Season 2's surprising success, there's renewed hope. If viewership holds, Citadel could continue—and maybe even revive those shelved spin-offs. It's a rare second chance for a franchise that seemed destined for the scrap heap.
In a landscape where even acclaimed thrillers like forgotten horror-thrillers can find new life on streaming, Citadel's comeback is a testament to the power of persistence—and a reminder that sometimes, a show just needs time to find its audience.
All episodes of Citadel are streaming now on Prime Video. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this and other streaming hits.
