Citadel: Amazon Prime’s latest attempt to blow our minds (and Their Budget): spy-fy TV series.
Strap in, folks, because Amazon Prime is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at their latest spy-fy action thriller, Citadel. Set to premiere on April 28th, 2023, with its first two episodes available for immediate viewing, this series marks another ambitious project for the streaming giant. Created by David Weil and executive produced by the Russo brothers, Citadel stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as two agents caught up in a web of intrigue.
Described as an “action-packed spy series with a compelling emotional center,” Citadel is an expansive, global event, featuring a mothership series and several local language satellite series set in the Italian Alps, India, Spain, and Mexico. With a jaw-dropping budget of $300 million, one can only hope this show will be worth every penny.
Richard Madden’s character, Mason Kane, is an amnesiac struggling to reconcile his past and present lives. “There are multiple characters and multiple storylines that all intertwine,” Madden stated in an interview. “It’s a clash between the life that he’s been living for eight years, and the life that he used to live.” Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra Jonas revealed to WWD that the show was “a lot of work” and that she has “a lot of scars to prove it.”
Despite its lofty goals, Citadel has faced numerous production challenges, including extensive reshoots and a change of showrunner. But with David Weil and the Russo brothers in charge, perhaps this pricey endeavor will manage to impress viewers.
In addition to the main series, Amazon Prime is also producing spinoffs with international casts and languages. The Indian series, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, will be directed by Raj & DK, while the Italian series will be co-produced by Amazon Studios and Cattleya, part of ITV Studios.
So, with its high-stakes action, complex storylines, and a touch of sarcasm, this’un may just be the series to watch—if you’re willing to overlook the hurdles it’s faced along the way. Don’t forget to mark April 28th, 2023, on your calendar and prepare yourself for Amazon Prime’s latest attempt to blow our minds (and their budget).
