According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox has officially decided not to give executive producer Greg Berlanti’s crime thriller drama Prodigal Son a third season renewal. The cancellation comes ahead of the Tom Payne and Michael Sheen-led series’ second season finale that is slated to air next week on May 18. It’s unclear if Warner Bros. Television is planning to shop the series elsewhere or not as it has been doing better in digital viewing than in broadcast.
The outlet’s source noted that it was a difficult decision to make for the network as they were a fan of the show’s creative choices. However, Prodigal Son failed to gain more hype and viewers, despite the inclusion of a major guest star in the form of Catherine Zeta-Jones, making it the current lowest-rated drama on the network.
Some of the cast including Payne, Bellamy Young, Keiko Agena, and Aurora Perrineau along with executive producer Sarah Schechter also went on to Twitter to share their statements regarding the cancellation, thanking fans for their support.
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
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
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
as I loved making Prodigal Son. I think the best cast on network television. An incredible NYC crew. A staff of brilliant writers led by the Creators/Showrunners Chris Fedak & Sam Sklaver who poured their hearts (and twisted minds) into making this delightfully disturbing show https://t.co/NvUEpGnzPP
— Sarah Schechter (@SarahSoWitty) May 10, 2021
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Prodigal Son centers around Malcolm Bright , a criminal profiler with a rare talent for getting inside the minds of killers. He learned how they think because his father, Dr. Martin Whitly, was a notorious serial killer known as “The Surgeon.” Now he’s using his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve their most puzzling murders. Bright’s team, led by his longtime mentor, NYPD Lieutenant Gil Arroyo, includes Detectives Dani Powell, JT Tarmel, and medical examiner Dr. Edrisa Tanaka.
Season 2 picks up with Bright’s personal life in disarray after the shocking actions of his sister, Ainsley, in the Season 1 finale. Now, he must “take care” of her and protect his mother, Jessica Whitly, from a secret that could tear the family apart all over again. Further complicating matters, Martin seeks to deepen his relationship with Bright, his “prodigal son,” but forging this bond leads to shocking twists and revelations.
The series starred Tom Payne (The Walking Dead), Michael Sheen (Masters of Sex), Lou Diamond Phillips (Stand and Deliver), Bellamy Young (Scandal), Halston Sage (The Orville), Aurora Perrineau (When They See Us), Frank Harts (), The Leftoversand Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls).
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Prodigal Son is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment. Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver created the series, and are executive producers, showrunners, and writers on the show. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter also serve as executive producers.
