In what seems like a quiet course correction, Prime Video has pulled the plug on Citadel spinoffs Honey Bunny (India) and Diana (Italy), despite both shows reportedly achieving impressive viewership. Instead of continuing as standalone series, their storylines will now be absorbed into Citadel Season 2, set for a 2026 release.
The move raises uncomfortable questions: when did streaming ambition start losing confidence?
Amazon’s original plan for Citadel was bold—an interconnected spy universe spanning countries and languages, powered by the Russo Brothers and Hollywood scale. But with the global rollout now scaled back, it’s clear the vision hasn’t quite landed.
The irony is glaring. Honey Bunny was the most-watched Prime Video series globally during its first weekend. Diana had the best Italian launch for the streamer. And yet, both were sidelined. One can’t help but wonder: is raw viewership not enough when the flagship (Citadel) failed to become the cultural event it was designed to be?
The exit of Amazon MGM’s Jennifer Salke, the architect behind the Citadel experiment, adds more weight. Her departure, and this pivot, suggest the platform is retreating from an expansive global storytelling model to play it safe with a centralized, single-series approach.
While Vernon Sanders’ statement promises a “more exhilarating” Season 2 with “cinematic ambition,” it feels like damage control. Folding successful spinoffs into the main series smells less like creative synergy and more like consolidation under pressure.
Streaming giants often talk about building universes. But if Citadel’s journey proves anything, it’s this: universe-building demands more than scale and budget. It requires patience, identity, and above all, resonance.
Right now, Prime Video’s Citadel universe is looking more like a case study in overreach than innovation.