(Phil Caruso/FOX)
Malcolm’s work and family struggles are over. FOX has cancelled the Prodigal Son TV series so there won’t be a third season.
A crime thriller series, the Prodigal Son TV series stars Tom Payne, Lou Diamond Phillips, Aurora Perrineau, Frank Harts, Keiko Agena, Bellamy Young, Halston Sage, Michael Sheen, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Season two guest stars include Christian Borle and Michael Potts. In the story, Malcolm Bright (Payne) is an extraordinary criminal psychologist who knows how killers think and how their minds work. In the 1990s, his father, Dr. Martin Whitly (Sheen), was a notorious serial killer called “The Surgeon” who killed at least 23 people. Since murder is “the family business”, Malcolm uses his twisted genius for good, to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers. He works alongside his longtime mentor, Gil Arroyo (Phillips), and two detectives — no-nonsense Dani Powell (Perrineau) and JT Tarmel (Harts), a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself. In season two, Malcolm must deal with the repercussions of the first season finale and his father seeks to deepen his relationship with his prodigal son.
Airing on Tuesday nights, the second season of Prodigal Son averages a 0.41 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 2.09 million viewers in the live+same day ratings. Compared to season one, that’s down by 45% in the demo and down by 38% in viewership.
The last episode of the second season (and the series) will air on May 18th. According to Variety, the decision to cancel the show was a tough one and noted that the network brass just didn’t feel that the ratings justified a third year. It’s not known yet if the show will be shopped to other outlets.
Cast and crew reactions can be found here.
Check out our FOX status sheet to track the network’s new series pickups, renewals, and cancellations.
What do you think? Have you kept up with the Prodigal Son TV show on FOX? Were you looking forward to season three?
So tired of this. You really like a show and they cancel all the time. I feel like not watching TV at all. All the channels do the same thing. Going to miss this one…
Prodigal Son is one of the best shows out there right now—way better than other shows that Fox is continuing. Let’s hope that Netflix or another network continues the show because it deserves more seasons! The cast, plot, and literally everything about the show are so captivating. #SaveProdigalSon
Please sign the petition on change.org to save the show if you haven’t already
This is the only show I watch on Fox. I guess I will delete them from my channel line up now. What a shame. I guess there is no room on TV anymore for anything remotely intellectual. Reality TV finally wins.
I have been watching Prodigal Son since it came out, I really enjoyed the show and hope that you would reconsider cancelling it. I can not talk for others but I know that I do not watch it on Tuesday nights when it is airing because I have 3 young children that needs my attention at that time. But I have PVRed ever episodes and watched it when I was able to pay attention to it. Please reconsider.
I can’t believe they are cancelling prodigal son. I love this show. A show with real writers and actors instead of so called “reality” shows. Terrific writing and fantastic cast. It’s so sad they cancel shows like this and keep shows like all the housewives. 1000 channels and nothing to watch. Sad, sad!
Seriously Fox needs to keep Prodigal Son, get rid of the crappy shows instead. This is the best show ever, great cast and writing?
Fox Sucks! I can’t believe this show is being canceled. It was appointment viewing for me.
This was one of the best shows on tv. Why is it that every time you find a new and interesting show it gets canceled but reality crap doesn’t. Big mistake Fox
Love the show! People are gonna stop watching FOX.
i want a third season.
I can’t believe fox is canceling Prodigal Son! My husband and I never miss this show, it’s definitely one of the best shows on TV. I sure hope another network steps up and saves this amazing show.
This is one of the best shows, why are you canceling it ??
Who makes these decisions we need a season 3
I am so upset. I loved this show. It was dark and original. It makes you think…so of course Fox dropped it. Fox used to be the network that was original, now they just do what all the other networks do.
Don’t break my heart FOX…Re-new The Prodigal Son!!! Maybe air it on Wednesday? Nothing good on TV Wednesdays!
Putting it on Wednesday is a very good idea. Tuesday they are up against some good shows. Or Netflix can maybe pick it up like they did Lucifer.