Inside Amazon's Epic Citadel: A $250 Million Masterpiece Unveiled by Endgame's Influential Directors
Citadel, Amazon's mega-budget series, created a buzz with its $250 million price tag and A-list directors However, it failed to capture viewers' attention Discover what went wrong and what lies ahead for the show
The first season of Citadel on Prime Video had a production cost exceeding $250, and a recent report highlights the disappointment in terms of its viewership. Executive produced by the Russo brothers, known for directing successful films like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Citadel was anticipated to be a major success for Prime Video. However, the spy thriller series, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, received underwhelming reviews upon its April premiere.
According to a new report from Bloomberg, despite being one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced and having the support of the Russos, Citadel failed to captivate audiences. Nielson's findings state that the show did not secure a spot among the top 10 most-watched streaming shows in the U.S. during any week since its debut on the platform.
Why Citadel Disappointed (& What's Next For The Show)
Upon its release, Citadel didn't appear to possess the essential qualities required to become a sensation on Prime Video. Reviews were lukewarm at best, with the general consensus being that the show didn't warrant its hefty price tag. While there was some praise for its constant action, Citadel felt underdeveloped and lackluster, failing to distinguish itself from its predecessors.
The response to Citadel is intriguing within the context of the Russos' career after the MCU. Films such as Cherry and The Gray Man, both helmed by the brothers, received poor critical reception, yet the latter proved to be a massive success on Netflix. Likewise, the Extraction franchise, which the Russos have executive produced, has also achieved great popularity on Netflix. It's plausible that Madden and Chopra Jonas simply didn't possess enough star power to attract the specific audience that Citadel needed.
While Citadel's viewership numbers would be impressive for any other show, they hold a different significance when considering the hefty price tag of $250 million. This substantial investment was not solely for the first season, but rather in the broader concept of launching a web of interconnected Citadel spinoff shows catering to diverse audiences worldwide. One such spinoff, Citadel: Diana, focused on Italy, is slated to debut next year. Despite the underwhelming performance of season 1, plans for Citadel season 2 are underway. However, it remains uncertain how much longer the show will continue if its second season also fails to meet expectations.
