Uncertain future for 'Citadel' franchise at Amazon after Jennifer Salke's departure

Looks like the second season of the Prime Video spy series, Citadel, has been delayed to Spring 2026. This was revealed by a shocking report by The Hollywood Reporter published on March 28, 2025. This further adds to the woes of a franchise whose foundations were supposedly a bit shaky, if a THR report from September 2022 is to be believed.

The report states that Amazon MGM is unsatisfied with what they have seen of Citadel Season 2. Furthermore, Amazon MGM executive Jennifer Salke's ouster only added to the trouble of this franchise because it was ultimately championed by her. Back in 2023, on the eve of the first season's release, Citadel was marketed as one of the most expensive series.

However, based on the reaction to the first season, Amazon MGM might not have been soured a bit on the franchise, despite it being marketed as a universe from the very beginning. Despite that, they went ahead with greenlighting two spin-offs titled Citadel: Diana, set in futuristic Italy, and Citadel: Honey Bunny, an Indian spin-off set in the past. Surprisingly, both spin-offs had a warmer reception.

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The future of the Citadel franchise is uncertain

As stated before, the production of Citadel Season 1 was troubled. And the reception to the original series itself was pretty negative. But, ironically, the two spinoffs were received better than the original series. However, the future of these and other spinoffs is uncertain.

Furthermore, the reporter went on to reveal that the second season completed filming back in November 2024, but it looks like the season is being reworked. Probably, Amazon MGM Studio will take the final call on the future of this spy franchise only after the release of the second season next year. The decision might be based on the reception of the second season.

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What is Citadel about?

Citadel was conceived as a global franchise right from the beginning. The main series would follow Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Mason Kane (Richard Madden). The spin-offs set in different countries and periods will tie into the main series. The first season follows Mason and Nadia on a run, trying to piece together the memory of the spy lives as they don't remember their past.

That is until Bernard Orlick, an old colleague, comes back into their lives, asking for help. Their investigation points toward the mysterious organization Manticore. The synopsis for Citadel reads:

"Eight years ago, Citadel fell. The independent global spy agency—tasked to uphold the safety and security of all people—was destroyed by operatives of Manticore, a powerful syndicate manipulating the world from the shadows. With Citadel’s fall, elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives. They’ve remained hidden ever since, building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, when Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), who desperately needs his help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. Mason seeks out his former partner, Nadia, and the two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world in an effort to stop Manticore, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love."

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The first seasons of Citadel and its spin-offs are available to stream on Prime Video.