Prodigal Son (TV series) explained

Composer:Nathaniel Blume
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:33
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:43–46 minutes
Network:Fox

Prodigal Son is an American procedural drama television series created by Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver for the Fox Broadcasting Company that premiered on September 23, 2019 and concluded on May 18, 2021. In October 2019, the series was picked up for a full season. In May 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on January 12, 2021. In May 2021, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Premise

The series centers on Malcolm Bright whose father Martin Whitly is an infamous serial killer known as "the Surgeon". Malcolm discovered what his father was doing when still a child and alerted the police, who finally caught Martin. By the time of the show, Malcolm has cut all ties with his father, changed his name, and has not seen him for ten years. Previously an FBI profiler and now working for the NYPD, Malcolm is forced to confront his father when a copycat serial killer emerges. He must use Martin's insights to help solve horrible crimes while handling inner battles. He must also deal with his father constantly trying to insert himself back into Malcolm's life. He is helped by Gil, an NYPD lieutenant and father figure, and the officer who responded to Malcolm's call all those years ago.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Production

Development

On January 28, 2019, it was announced that Fox had given the production a pilot order. The pilot was written by Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver, who executive produces alongside Lee Toland Krieger, Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. Production companies involved with the pilot include Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.[6] On March 12, 2019, it was announced that Lee Toland Krieger would be directing the series.[7] On May 9, 2019, it was announced that the production had been given a series order.[8] The following day, it was announced that the series would premiere in the Fall of 2019.[9] The series debuted on September 23, 2019.[10] On October 7, 2019, the series was picked up for a full season of 22 episodes.[11] In March 2020, Warner Bros. Television suspended production on the series upon the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] As a result, episode 20 served as the first season finale.[13]

On May 21, 2020, Fox renewed the series for a second season which premiered on January 12, 2021.[14] [15] On May 10, 2021, Fox canceled the series after two seasons.[16]

Casting

In February 2019, it was announced that Lou Diamond Phillips, Aurora Perrineau and Frank Harts had been cast in the pilot's lead roles. Alongside the pilot's order announcement, in March 2019, it was reported that Michael Sheen, Bellamy Young, Finn Jones, Keiko Agena and Halston Sage had joined the cast.[17] Four days later, on March 12, 2019, it was announced that Tom Payne would replace Jones in the starring role of Malcolm Bright, during first table readings.[18] On February 10, 2020, Dermot Mulroney was cast in a recurring role.[19] On December 7, 2020, Christian Borle and Michael Potts joined the cast in recurring capacities for the second season.[20] On January 6, 2021, Catherine Zeta-Jones joined the cast for the second half of the season.[21]

Episodes

Season 2 (2021)

Release

On May 13, 2019, Fox released the first official trailer for the series.[22]

Internationally, the series aired on Global in Canada,[23] on Sky One in the United Kingdom,[24] on Fox One in Australia,[25] and on Colors Infinity in India.[26]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 58% approval rating with an average rating of 6.19/10, based on 33 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though it shows promise, Prodigal Son sidelines a spectacular Michael Sheen in favor of a more pedestrian procedural storyline that often drifts too deeply into the grotesque."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 61 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Ratings

Season 2

Home media

Warner Archive Collection released the complete first season as a manufacture-on-demand DVD and Blu-ray on September 8, 2020.[29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Petski . Denise . 'Prodigal Son' Casts Halston Sage; Courtney Grosbeck Joins 'Lincoln' . Deadline Hollywood . March 14, 2019 . May 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190401083349/https://deadline.com/2019/03/prodigal-son-cast-halston-sage-courtney-grosbeck-lincoln-1202575555/ . April 1, 2019 . live .
  2. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Petski. Denise. 'Prodigal Son': Lou Diamond Phillips, Aurora Perrineau & Frank Harts To Co-Star In Fox Drama Pilot. Deadline Hollywood. February 22, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190423234845/https://deadline.com/2019/02/prodigal-son-lou-diamond-phillips-aurora-perrineau-frank-harts-to-co-star-in-fox-drama-pilot-1202562622/. April 23, 2019. live.
  3. Web site: Petski. Denise. Keiko Agena Joins 'Prodigal Son'; 'Bluff City Law' Casts Stony Blyden. Deadline Hollywood. March 8, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508232615/https://deadline.com/2019/03/keiko-agena-prodigal-son-bluff-city-law-casts-stony-blyden-1202572515/. May 8, 2019. live.
  4. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Bellamy Young To Co-Star In Fox Drama Pilot 'Prodigal Son'. Deadline Hollywood. March 7, 2019. May 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511193217/https://deadline.com/2019/03/bellamy-young-cast-fox-drama-pilot-prodigy-son-1202571590/. May 11, 2019. live.
  5. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Petski. Denise. Michael Sheen To Star In Fox Drama Pilot 'Prodigal Son'. Deadline Hollywood. March 5, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511214137/https://deadline.com/2019/03/michael-sheen-cast-fox-drama-pilot-prodigal-son-1202569817/ . May 11, 2019. live.
  6. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Petski. Denise. Fox Orders 'Prodigal Son' Pilot From Chris Fedak, Sam Sklaver & Berlanti Prods.. Deadline Hollywood. January 28, 2019. May 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331155450/https://deadline.com/2019/01/fox-orders-prodigal-son-pilot-from-chris-fedak-sam-sklaver-berlanti-prods-1202544105/. March 31, 2019. live.
  7. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'Prodigal Son': Tom Payne To Headline Fox Pilot In Recasting . Deadline Hollywood . July 11, 2019 . March 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190811093341/https://deadline.com/2019/03/prodigal-son-tom-payne-cast-fox-pilot-recasting-finn-jones-exits-replacement-1202574140/ . August 11, 2019 . live .
  8. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Picks Up 4 New Drama Series: 'Prodigal Son', 'Deputy', 'NeXt', & Weisman/Katims; What Does It Mean For Network's Bubble Dramas?. Deadline Hollywood. May 9, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511022247/https://deadline.com/2019/05/fox-orders-drama-series-prodigal-son-deputy-next-weisman-katims-bubble-dramas-1202610963/. May 11, 2019. live.
  9. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Fall 2019-20 Schedule: WWE, NFL, No Live-Action Comedies With 'Last Man Standing' Held, 'Empire' & 'Resident' To Tuesday. Deadline Hollywood. May 13, 2019. May 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190714124325/https://deadline.com/2019/05/fox-fall-2019-20-schedule-upfronts-new-shows-empire-the-masked-singer-the-orville-last-man-standing-1202613344/. July 14, 2019. live.
  10. Web site: Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates: Emmys Kick Off The Week, '9-1-1', 'The Masked Singer', 'Empire', More. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. June 24, 2019. June 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190819200819/https://deadline.com/2019/06/fox-sets-fall-premiere-dates-emmys-9-1-1-the-masked-singer-empire-more-1202637086/. August 19, 2019. live.
  11. Web site: 'Prodigal Son' Scores First Full-Season Pickup Of New Fall Season From Fox. Deadline Hollywood. Dominic. Patten. October 7, 2019. October 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191007163937/https://deadline.com/2019/10/prodigal-son-fox-full-series-order-michael-sheen-tom-payne-greg-berlanti-1202754043/. October 7, 2019. live.
  12. Web site: Coronavirus Interrupts TV: Which Seasons Will Be Shortened?. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. March 17, 2020. April 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200423054231/http://tvline.com/gallery/coronavirus-tv-shows-delayed-list-photos/. April 23, 2020. live.
  13. Web site: Prodigal Son Bosses Break Down the Finale's Killer Twist, Reveal Original Plan for Scrapped Season 1 Episodes. Iannucci. Rebecca. April 27, 2020. TVLine. EN. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200428164628/https://tvline.com/2020/04/27/prodigal-son-recap-season-1-finale-renewed-cancelled-fox/. April 28, 2020. April 28, 2020.
  14. Web site: 'Prodigal Son': Fox Renews Serial Killer Drama For Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. May 21, 2020. May 21, 2020. May 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200521211147/https://deadline.com/2020/05/prodigal-son-fox-renews-season-2-1202941032/. live.
  15. Web site: Fox Sets Winter Premiere Dates; 'The Masked Dancer', 'Call Me Kat' & 'Last Man Standing' Get Post-NFL Launches. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. November 10, 2020. November 10, 2020. November 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110193659/https://deadline.com/2020/11/fox-2021-winter-premiere-dates-the-masked-dancer-call-me-kat-last-man-standing-the-resident-9-11-lone-star-prodigal-son-1234612346/. dead.
  16. Web site: Prodigal Son Cancelled at Fox. TVLine. Rebecca. Iannucci. May 10, 2021. May 10, 2021. May 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210510222559/https://tvline.com/2021/05/10/prodigal-son-cancelled-season-3-fox/. live.
  17. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Iron Fist's Finn Jones To Headline Fox Drama Pilot 'Prodigal Son'. Deadline Hollywood. March 8, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511193201/https://deadline.com/2019/03/finn-jones-star-prodigal-son-fox-drama-pilot-1202571894/. May 11, 2019. live.
  18. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Prodigal Son': Tom Payne To Headline Fox Pilot In Recasting. Deadline Hollywood. March 8, 2019. May 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511193152/https://deadline.com/2019/03/prodigal-son-tom-payne-cast-fox-pilot-recasting-finn-jones-exits-replacement-1202574140/. May 11, 2019. live.
  19. Web site: 'Prodigal Son': Dermot Mulroney Joins Fox Series As Recurring. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. February 10, 2020. February 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210204340/https://deadline.com/2020/02/prodigal-son-dermot-mulroney-fox-series-recurring-1202854426/. February 10, 2020. live.
  20. Web site: 'Prodigal Son': Christian Borle & Michael Potts Join Season 2 Of Fox Series. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. December 7, 2020. December 7, 2020. December 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201207174955/https://deadline.com/2020/12/prodigal-son-christian-borle-michael-potts-season-2-fox-series-recurring-1234650804/. live.
  21. Web site: Catherine Zeta-Jones Joins Fox's 'Prodigal Son' As A Lead For Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. January 6, 2021. January 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106193529/https://deadline.com/2021/01/catherine-zeta-jones-star-season-2-fox-prodigal-son-michael-sheen-1234665719/. January 6, 2021. live.
  22. Web site: Petski. Denise. Fox New Series Trailers: 'Outmatched', 'Filthy Rich', 'Prodigal Son', 'Deputy', 'Not Just Me', 'Next', 'BH90210' Teaser. Deadline Hollywood. May 13, 2019. May 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190604001415/https://deadline.com/video/fox-new-series-trailers-outmatched-filthy-rich-prodigal-son-deputy-not-just-me-next-bh90210/. June 4, 2019. live.
  23. Global's Prodigal Son is Canada's #1 New Series This Fall. Global Television. Newswire. October 10, 2019. January 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200120133716/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/global-s-prodigal-son-is-canada-s-1-new-series-this-fall-812645441.html. January 20, 2020. live.
  24. Web site: Sky One Picks Up 'Prodigal Son' Starring Michael Sheen & Tom Payne. Elliot. Dave. Geek Town. July 1, 2020. July 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210312010248/https://www.geektown.co.uk/2020/07/01/sky-one-picks-up-prodigal-son-starring-michael-sheen-tom-payne/. March 12, 2021. live.
  25. Web site: Foxtel launches new FOX-branded entertainment channels. Mediaweek. November 7, 2019. July 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200110041527/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-launches-new-fox-branded-entertainment-channels/. January 10, 2020. live.
  26. Web site: Get over your weekday blues with a dose of Instant Premieres on COLORS INFINITY. Indian Television. October 7, 2019. July 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20191008052207/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/get-over-your-weekday-blues-with-a-dose-of-instant-premieres-on-colors-infinity-191007. October 8, 2019. dead.
  27. Web site: Prodigal Son: Season 1 . Rotten Tomatoes. November 14, 2020.
  28. Web site: Prodigal Son: Season 1 . Metacritic . January 10, 2021.
  29. Web site: Prodigal Son: The Complete First Season (DVD). Amazon.com. August 14, 2020. June 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607184409/https://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B08DBZD9PX/tvshowsondvdc-20. live.

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