The cast and crew of the Prodigal Son received some sad news this week. FOX cancelled the drama so there won’t be a third season. While they’ve already filmed the defacto series finale (it airs on May 18th), they still have plenty to say.
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 ratings were reportedly a big factor in the cancellation.
It’s not known yet if the FOX show will be shopped to other outlets. The series is co-produced by Warner Bros. Television so HBO Max may be the most likely candidate.
Here are some thoughts from the cast and crew regarding the cancellation:
What a trip. Playing Malcolm has been a joy and a privilege. The best cast on network TV and the most unique show around. We did it in style. Love to everyone who enjoyed it all along with us. And check out the last two eps! THEY ARE AMAZING. 😘 #ProdigalSon
— Tom Payne (@justanactor) May 11, 2021
Wow. Gutted. Didn’t see that one coming. Might be taking a few days away from the platform #Prodigies. Just know that you have been the most wonderful, entertaining, brilliant fan base I have ever encountered. Much Love. #GilArroyo #ProdigalSon
— Lou Diamond Phillips (@LouDPhillips) May 11, 2021
Love you Dani. Thanks for the ride! Thanks to the crew, the cast , the fans, @FOXTV and @warnerbrostv for everything. Forever grateful for this experience pic.twitter.com/JIxzvC9iBf
— Aurora Perrineau (@AuroraPerrineau) May 10, 2021
Just wanted to pop on & say THANK YOU, wonderful #Prodigies , for sharing this adventure with us. I am, as you can imagine, heartbroken that we can't keep telling this story. We're gonna go out in STYLE tho- these last 2 eps are 🔥. Love each of you. So much. #ProdigalSon 💗❤️
— Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) May 11, 2021
#ProdigalSon From “Lil Edrisa” and me to all the #Prodigies out there. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xLB5u6SXGY
— Keiko Agena (@KeikoAgena) May 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/SarahSoWitty/status/1391897708521218050
“The show is…what now?” #TheSurgeonCanAlwaysMakeHouseVisits #ProdigalSon pic.twitter.com/QznN0JIDch
— michael sheen 💙 (@michaelsheen) May 11, 2021
What do you think? Will you miss the Prodigal Son TV show on FOX? Would you watch a third season if it landed on a streaming service? If so, which one?
Please Please HBO or any other network pick up this fabulous show
Every time a great is aired the stupid execs cancel them …..hopefully it will be picked up….just like Lucifer
Darn right!!!$!
Another stupid move by the network.
Absolutely love this show. A nice break from sex, stupid game shows etc. I don’t understand why. Be great if Hulu or fx picked it up unless they kill off a great character.
Gutted – totally gutted! Brilliant show with brilliant cast, writers et el. I just hope another platform like Amazon or Netflix decides to pick it up!
They DEFINITELY “NEED”, “NEED”, “NEED” to shop THIS SHOW, the Prodigal Son to OTHER NETWORKS!!! Please!!! Please!!! Please!!! Okay, I think you get how good that I think that this is… and I’m also a professional actor by training! I went to college to study acting. I’ve been in some minimal television, commercials and films here in Seattle. I truly enjoy all of the characters, for different reasons! The casting was superb. Please shop it to other networks. I’ll even pay for HBO to watch it.
Omg so completely stupid, canceling this show. I’d say its currently your best show. Dumb move. I pray someone picks them up.
Wow Fox , I can’t say I’m surprised, your decision making lately has been HORRIBLE, So very sorry that this show is canceled, but hopefully another streaming service/ network will pick it up and I will be watching. No reason to watch Fox anymore.
Wow! Does anyone not like this show? I feel a petition drive in the future…And how does Fox cancel this show and renew “Call me Kat?” With all due respect to the comedic talents of Mayim Bialik, that show is unwatchable.
Absolutely shocked this fantastic show was canceled. Superb acting. Will sure miss it 100%.
I cannot believe this show was cancelled. SOMEBODY PLEASE PICK IT UP …….. Netflix? Are you listening?
The show is paying the price for a bad decision by Fox. They never should have moved from Sunday nights to Tuesdays up against The Voice. If this show is picked up by another streaming service, I will definitely watch it. It just might be my favorite show of all time (and I’m 72 years old)!
So disappointed that the show has been cancelled, one of the best on TV.
I am shocked to find out that this incredible show is being canceled! Prodigal Son has had such an amazing cast and creative writing i was hooked from the first episode and never missed a moment. It is a shame to have to end so soon. I am so very disappointed by this decision! Thank you to the entire cast and crew for giving your all to the show and making us love the ride.
Yes I would watch on any streaming platform but apple, just because it is harder to get.
Cannot believe they canceled this show! Look forward to it every Tuesday. Great acting and great story lines. Huge mistake. Someone please pick this up