"Citadel" Franchise Faces Uncertain Future at Amazon

"Citadel", Amazon MGM’s spy series executive produced by Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO, has hit more turbulence.

The expensive series, which was positioned as a flagship show with a global reach, has a history of ballooning budgets and creative strife but still managed to snag a second season order. Now, that season is in flux. 

Multiple sources say that Amazon MGM is pushing the show from a planned fall 2025 release to a spring 2026 debut. 

Additionally, the continuation of all Citadel spinoff series are on hold at least until the second season is released if not indefinitely.

All this stems from Amazon MGM being unhappy with what they have seen so far of season two, according to sources. 

An insider added the company had not yet set a date for the show’s return.

As initially conceived, Citadel was to have multiple international spinoff series to accompany the English-language main title, which stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as globe-trotting spies. 

The spinoffs have included Italy’s "Citadel: Diana" and India’s "Citadel: Honey Bunny", both of which have performed well for the global platform in their local markets. 

However, the development of any spinoffs has been put on hold as the second season of the flagship series gets fine-tuned. 

Shooting for season two wrapped in late November last year.

"Citadel" has been a troubled series from the jump — when reshoots, two competing cuts and crew defections on the first season added $75 million to the already $160 million budget.

At the time, the show became the second most expensive series ever made, only falling behind fellow Amazon title Rings of Power, the Lord of the Rings TV series. 

Nonetheless, it was renewed for a second season ahead of the first season’s April 2023 premiere.

With the latest setback, insiders question if this is the end for "Citadel" a show that was championed by former Amazon MGM head Jennifer Salke. 

She first approached the Russo Bros. with the idea for Citadel as they were winding down their first sting in the Marvel Universe. It was supposed to be Amazon’s answer to James Bond. 

Now Amazon is fully behind the wheel of the Astin Martin after closing a deal for creative control earlier this month. Adding to the show’s woes is Salke’s abrupt ouster, which caught most inside the company by surprise Thursday. 

While the head of TV Vernon Sanders will now be overseeing the show, it’s never good to lose a top executive support beam.