(Cr: Phil Caruso/FOX)
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?
I’m sick of FOX canceling these types of shows. First, it was Deputy after one season now their biggest hit in years. If it wasn’t for Bob’s Burgers and maybe a few other shows like 911 I wouldn’t watch FOX anymore. Too many creative geniuses are not getting their due justices. I hope that this show gets picked up somewhere else or they make a 2 hr movie to end it the right way.
Fingers crossed it gets picked up somewhere else. To good of a show to not keep going; they haven’t even begun to tell all the stories they could with all the characters on Prodigal Son!
I knew this was going to happen! Every time I get into a show on Fox they cancel it! I will never get into another show from this network ever again. I’m tired of the disappointment. They got rid of sleepy hollow, Lucifer and now prodigal Son. Please please I hope another Network picks the show up. It’s way too good to let go and collect dust
Prodigal Son, wow. it took convincing to get my hubby to watch and low and behold…after 2 episodes he was hooked like me. Please, please someone pick up this show.
Just heard the news tonight, I am sickened by this. Can we save this amazing show somehow?
Please let another outlet pick this show up!!! I love it!! Pure entertainment!! No pushing any political agendas like other shows that used to be so good!! Need 10 more seasons!! BRING THE SURGEON BACK!!!
One of the best shows on TV! Bring it to Netflix or crave!
Our whole family loves prodigal son. I can’t believe it’s been cancelled. I hope someone else picks it up.
This was the best show on tv. Brilliantly written, actors were 1st quality and a loss to all. Please DO NOT CANCEL. PLEASE RECONSIDER
My wife, daughter and I love this show. We record every episode and were shocked to see it is canceled. We hope someone will pick it up so we can subscribe. The cast is outstanding.
I love this show! I am so sad not to see their story continue. I love all the characters. Really hoping another network picks it up.
I am saddened to hear this. This is the best show on television. I will subscribe to whatever streaming service that is smart enough to pick up this show.
I really liked this show. It is not like any other show. You never new when the Surgeon was going to slash out. He loved his kids & wife, but don’t get in his way, even him being in an asylum. Good Show !!
I hope another network picks up this great show up. There’s so little good stuff on network TV these days. Hopefully enough fans will sign the petition. Season 2 was even better than Season 1.
Fox is the problem! When the other networks were airing new episodes Fox was airing the same episodes over and over. That’s why ratings are down. I was disappointed week after week to see new shows on the other networks, not all, but keeping up the interest but not Fox , and not with “Prodigal Son”. It an excellent show and deserves the chance to shine.
Love Prodigal Son from the pilot on, hopefully hulu or another service picks it up.