The Amazon Prime series Citadel is facing disappointment as it fails to make a mark on the streaming platform. In a surprising turn of events, the show has been overtaken by Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown, despite being one of the most expensive series ever produced. The massive budget and star-studded cast of Citadel couldn’t compete with the popularity of a cooking competition.
Created by Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil, Citadel boasts executive producers in the form of the Russo Brothers and features Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra as superspies. The show’s supporting cast includes renowned actors such as Stanley Tucci, Ashleigh Cummings, Roland Moller, Osy Ikhile, Caoilinn Springall, and Lesley Manville.
Since its debut at the end of April, Citadel has failed to enter the top 10 most-watched streaming shows in the U.S. Despite Amazon’s confidence in the series, evidenced by the greenlighting of an additional season, its future popularity remains uncertain.
While the show’s inflated budget may have played a role in its underperformance, with the first season reportedly costing $300 million, it is unlikely that subsequent seasons will carry such a hefty price tag. Behind-the-scenes drama and creative differences necessitated extensive reshoots for the first season, contributing to its high cost. However, with a more settled direction and a consistent showrunner for the second season, the expenses are expected to be more controlled.
Although there is a possibility of a marked improvement in the second season, attracting the viewership that Amazon hopes for, Citadel will need to outperform Barbecue Showdown to regain its footing. For now, the show’s popularity remains lackluster, raising doubts about its long-term success.
In the meantime, viewers can watch the first season of Citadel on Amazon Prime, while Barbecue Showdown is available for streaming on Netflix.
