The murmurs were there for weeks, and on April 16, it became official. On Wednesday, Amazon announced that Citadel: Honey Bunny and Citadel: Diana, the Indian and Italian offshoots respectively of Citadel, each one season old, were being discontinued. The OTT giant also announced that the second season of the US mothership series, led by Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden, would arrive in 2026.

But mid-day has now learnt that the second season may mark the end of the road for the entire Citadel universe, as Amazon has apparently pulled the plug on its Mexico, Spain and Japan spin-offs. It is also heard that Chopra only has a two-season contract for the US version.

Citadel was conceived as a multi-country franchise with the Russo Brothers at the helm of the mothership series, and was viewed as one of Amazon’s most ambitious projects.

A source reveals, “The idea was that after the first season of Citadel US, the Italy, Indian and Mexican versions would be released. The US series’ second season was to arrive in between these versions if the story allowed it, otherwise it would come as an ender after the release of Spain and Japan’s spin-offs. But now, the Mexican version is off the table. The fate of Japan and Spain’s offshoots also seems uncertain.”

In its recent statement, Amazon highlighted that the storylines from the Indian and Italian offshoots will be woven into the US spy thriller’s second season. “Having successfully traversed India and Italy, storylines from both Citadel: Honey Bunny and Citadel: Diana will be woven into the upcoming second season of the mothership series Citadel. While these successful international chapters will not continue as individual series, Season 2 of Citadel will be our most exhilarating yet,” read the statement issued by Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios.

The Amazon spokesperson did not elaborate further in response to mid-day’s questions. Insiders, however, told us that the initial idea was to also include characters from the Mexican series. 

Another source noted that the Indian series, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, wasn’t exactly cancelled. “There weren’t any plans for season two. If at all, it would’ve happened only after the rest of the spin-offs as well as the US version had released.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas can do everything a hero does, and better. It is, however, the lack of opportunities that separates her, and possibly other talented leading ladies, from the heroes. In a 20-year career, Chopra had to often fit into the heroine stereotype, present in the narrative to service the hero’s arc. So, when Citadel came her way as that long-awaited opportunity to break the glass ceiling, she grabbed it with both hands.

“There are way less opportunities for women [to be] leading ladies who take responsibility of the situations and don’t need rescuing. Have you seen how many times I have rescued Richard [Madden’s character] in the show? That’s the point,” she asserts.

The actor is proud that a project finally puts her on par with the leading man. “Jen [Jennifer Salke, Head, Amazon Studios] and the Russo Brothers [executive producers] were clear that no excuses will be made for my character just because she is female. They said my character will do more because she is a woman.”

In the Amazon Prime Video action thriller, Chopra and Madden play spy agency Citadel’s members, whose memories have been erased. Chopra counts herself lucky to have bagged the project, pointing out that only a few directors have the vision and confidence to imagine women as action heroes.

“I felt such a sense of respect and shock that there wasn’t a scene where I was a damsel in distress. I have propped many heroes up to win. It was nice to be the hero this time,” she smiles.

Citadel is one of the streaming giant’s biggest series to be rolled out, with local shows under the same name being integrated from different countries. In India, director duo Raj-DK have been entrusted to develop it with Varun Dhawan and Samantha. Does the series’ enormity overwhelm her? Chopra promptly replies in the negative.

“I’ve never done something as big as Citadel, but I have done big movies in India. So, that doesn’t scare or intimidate me. But what was intimidating was being able to be convincing enough that I belonged in this world. With every new project, I go in feeling, ‘How can I make my character more convincing?’”

I had no idea that I have fans here,” exclaims a surprised Richard Madden, when we tell him that his character Robb Stark enjoys wide popularity in India. The actor shot to global fame in 2011 for his portrayal of the righteous ‘King of the North’ in Game Of Thrones.

“We shot Game Of Thrones mostly in Ireland, knee-deep in mud. To think that lots of people in India loved it is mind-blowing,” he beams.

Now, the path-breaking fantasy drama is behind him, and Madden is on to what might well be the next path-breaking spy thriller — Amazon Prime Video’s marquee series, Citadel. On his maiden trip to India, the actor is equally surprised by the excitement that the Russo Brothers’ production has generated among desi audiences. “Now that I am here, I am blown away by how big this show is. I have lived with it for five years,” he says.

The action thriller sees Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as spy agency Citadel’s members, whose memories have been erased. For the Scottish actor, the idea of playing two extreme personalities was tempting.

“It was the character’s duality [that drew me]. While the story is from the lens of my character, Kyle, he is also a spy. It was interesting to be at two different ends of the story. I was fascinated by what characteristics are built into you from birth, and what behavioural traits are [imbibed] from your life experiences. This was an opportunity to explore that.”

The icing on the cake was his co-actor, a bona fide Bollywood star. “Everyone is aware of Priyanka’s stardom. You have to live under a rock to not know about it,” he gushes, before revealing that they first met at a party eight years ago.

“We were seated beside each other at the dinner, in a room of 400 people. We instantly hit it off, and had so much fun that night. Then we saw each other again at different parties. When we learnt [Citadel] is going to happen, it was excellent. She is fun, the kindest and loveliest human.”

His admiration for Chopra only grew during the shoot, on seeing her involvement as an artiste. “What struck me the most about her was how much she cares. She wanted to mine these characters with [me]. We prod, poke and bring out the best in each other. Also, she listens [keenly] — you can say anything, and you’ll get a reaction that is not rehearsed. We surprise each other constantly, and that makes way for the script to evolve.”