Citadel: Dianashowrunner Gina Gardini explains how the upcoming spinoff fits into the Prime Video espionage franchise. Created by Alessandro Fabbri and serving as an Italy-set spinoff toCitadel,Citadel: Dianastars Matilda De Angelisas the titular Citadel agent, who is working undercover to infiltrate and take down the evil Manticore syndicate. The Prime Video series is part of a larger plan to build out theCitadelfranchise, withCitadel: Honey Bunnyset to serve as an India-based installment.
In a recent interview withScreen Rant, Gardini confirms that bothCitadel: DianaandCitadel: Honey Bunnyare intended to serve as standalone adventures within the larger universe. The showrunner reveals that those who didn’t watch the original series will still be able to watch and understand the spinoffs without issue. Check out Gardini’s full comment below:
I can’t speak to sort of the larger plan, but the initial plan was to create a group of shows that were truly standalone series, and the only thing that was tying them together was the fact that there was this world of Citadel and these two rival agencies. Beyond that the sky was the limit.
In terms of the three shows as they exist now, you don’t need to have seen Citadel, necessarily, to appreciate or understand Citadel: Diana, nor Honey Bunny. There are elements that, if you’ve seen them or you see all of them, there are subtle nods where it’s fun, but they’re not requirements in the way that sometimes you feel like you’re missing out when you see something in the Marvel universe—where you feel like you might be missing a piece, or something like that.
What Gardini’s Diana Update Means For The Citadel Franchise
How It Could Avoid An MCU Problem
The originalCitadelshow was not particularly well-received critically and currently sports a 51% onRotten Tomatoes. The show was also wildly expensive due to reshoots and various behind-the-scenes issues, sporting a reported budget of about $300 million. Relative to how much it cost,Citadeldidn’t seem to be a major hit, but the plan to expand the franchise into Italy and India was already in motionwhen the series came out.
Citadel Ending Explained
Citadel season 1 comes to a suitably shocking end, including revelations about the mole who destroyed the agency and Dahlia’s true motives.
It’s not clear whetherDianaorHoney Bunnywill be able to capture audiences where the mothership series didn’t, but Gardini’s comment about the MCU is notable. In recent years,one major complaint levied at the MCU is that the interconnecting web or movies and TV shows became too much for casual viewers to keep up with, and if one didn’t watch a particular project, what happens in another could prove confusing. ThoughCitadelisn’t a franchise as expansive as the MCU, approaching each spinoff as its own entity could avoid this problem.
LikeCitadel,DianaandHoney Bunnywill both feature a season 1 that consists of 6 episodes.
Our Take On Citadel: Diana Being Standalone
Will The Spinoffs Be Bigger Hits?
Considering how expensiveCitadelreportedly was and how relatively unsuccessful it seemed to be, it wouldn’t be surprising ifDianaandHoney Bunnyare the only two spinoffs that move forward. Though the franchise hasn’t really resonated with audiences in North America,Citadelseason 2 is still confirmedto be happening. Unless there’s a major improvement in terms of the season’s reception, the main show may not be getting a season 3.
Citadel: Diana
Cast
The sequel series to Prime Video’s 2022 spy thriller, Citadel: Diana follows a new cast of characters in the Citadel universe. Centered around the titular Diana, Matilda De Angelis stars as the new protagonist in the Italian branch of the organization.
