FOX has cancelled Prodigal Son after two seasons.
The network has opted not to renew the sophmore show for Season 3, Cancelled Soon TV has confirmed.
While Prodigal Son was creatively admired at the network, and there was a desire to continue with a third season, the numbers simply weren’t there to support a renewal, per insiders.
What shows are ALREADY cancelled this season? Check the official cancelled shows 2021/2022 list.
What shows are ALREADY renewed for next season? Check the TV shows renewed 2022-2023 list.
About Prodigal Son TV Show
From Emmy Award-nominated executive producer Greg Berlanti, executive producer Sarah Schechter ("Riverdale," "You"), and executive producers/creators Chris Fedak ("Deception," "Chuck") and Sam Sklaver ("Deception," "Bored to Death"), PRODIGAL SON is a fresh take on the traditional crime drama with a provocative and outrageous lead character and a darkly comedic tone.
The series premiere of PRODIGAL SON was the highest-rated new series on any network and helped lead FOX to its first victory on opening night of the broadcast season in ten years. PRODIGAL SON's premiere also delivered 8.5 million multi-platform viewers, and more than 10 million viewers, including Friday's encore telecast.
"PRODIGAL SON delivers a fantastic crime procedural with a complicated and compelling father-son relationship at its core, thanks to the stellar performances from Tom Payne and Michael Sheen," said Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, FOX Entertainment. "The series has razor-sharp writing, cinematic visuals and is an inventive twist on the genre. We want to thank our executive producers, Greg, Sarah, Chris and Sam, Peter Roth and our partners at Warner Bros., and the entire cast and crew. We can't wait to see how this twisted journey continues to unfold."
PRODIGAL SON centers on MALCOLM BRIGHT (Tom Payne, "The Walking Dead"), a psychologist who has a gift for understanding how serial killers think, because his father, DR. MARTIN WHITLY (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Michael Sheen, "Masters of Sex," "Frost/Nixon"), was one of the worst, a notorious serial killer called "The Surgeon." Bright is the best criminal psychologist around and murder is the family business. He uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with his manipulative mother, JESSICA WHITLY (Bellamy Young, "Scandal," "Criminal Minds"), his annoyingly normal sister, AINSLEY WHITLY (Halston Sage, "The Orville") and a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son, not to mention his own constantly evolving neuroses.
The only way Bright feels normal is by solving cases with the help of his longtime mentor, NYPD Detective GIL ARROYO (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Lou Diamond Phillips, "Longmire," "Stand and Deliver"). Arroyo's one of the best detectives around, and he expects no less from his team - Detective DANI POWELL (Aurora Perrineau, "The Carmichael Show," "Jem and the Holograms"), a headstrong no-nonsense cop who quickly becomes impressed with Bright's work; and Detective JT TARMEL (Frank Harts, "Master of None," "Billions"), a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself.
In tonight's all-new "Fear Response" episode airing 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX, Malcolm gets his dream interview opportunity when the NYPD zeroes in on one of his and Martin's favorite psychologists, Dr. Elaine Brown (guest star Sakina Jaffrey), who may be involved in a homicide linked to an LSD-laced psychology trial. Meanwhile, as his night terrors continue to evolve, Malcolm checks in with his trusted childhood therapist to discuss new theories on what exactly he witnessed as a child, and the consequences of Malcolm's visits with The Surgeon begin to add up when Gil, Jessica and Ainsley catch wind that he has been seeing his father again.
PRODIGAL SON is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter serve as executive producers. Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver are both executive producers, showrunners and writers on the series. Lee Toland Krieger directed and executive-produced the pilot.
From Emmy Award-nominated executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (โRiverdale,โ โThe Flashโ) and writers Chris Fedak (โDeception,โ โChuckโ) and Sam Sklaver (โDeception,โ โBored to Deathโ), PRODIGAL SON is a fresh take on a crime franchise with a provocative and outrageous lead character and a darkly comedic tone. MALCOLM BRIGHT (Tom Payne, โThe Walking Deadโ) has a gift. He knows how killers think, how their minds work. Why? Back in the 1990s, his father was one of the best, a notorious serial killer called โThe Surgeon.โ Thatโs why Bright is the best criminal psychologist around; murder is the family business. He will use his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, annoyingly normal sister, a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son and his own constantly evolving neuroses. Meet the happy family. DR. MARTIN WHITLY (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Michael Sheen, โMasters of Sex,โ โFrost/Nixonโ) is intelligent, wealthy and charismatic, and also happens to be a predatory sociopath who killed at least 23 people. Brightโs mother, JESSICA WHITLY (Bellamy Young, โScandal,โ โCriminal Mindsโ), an elegant and WASPy New Yorker, wields sarcasm like a samurai sword and has an opinion on every aspect of Brightโs life. Perhaps Brightโs only ally is his sister, AINSLEY WHITLY (Halston Sage, THE ORVILLE), a TV journalist who wishes her brother would โtake a break from murderโ and have a normal life. Unfortunately for his sister, the only way Bright feels normal is by solving cases with the help of his longtime mentor, NYPD Detective GIL ARROYO (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Lou Diamond Phillips, โLongmire,โ โStand and Deliverโ). Arroyoโs one of the best detectives around, and he expects no less from his team โ Detective DANI POWELL (Aurora Perrineau, โThe Carmichael Show,โ โJem and the Hologramsโ), a headstrong no-nonsense cop who quickly becomes impressed with Brightโs work; and Detective JT TARMEL (Frank Harts, โThe Path,โ โBillionsโ), a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself. So much for normal.
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions, FOX Entertainment
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/WRITERS: Chris Fedak, Sam Sklaver
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Lee Toland Krieger
CAST: Tom Payne as Malcolm Bright, Michael Sheen as Dr. Martin Whitly, Bellamy Young as Jessica Whitly, Lou Diamond Phillips as Gil Arroyo, Halston Sage as Ainsley Whitly, Aurora Perrineau as Dani Powell, Frank Harts as JT Tarmel, Keiko Agena as Edrisa Tanaka
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torsider says
The numbers weren’t there? Of course not, it’s good (7.7 IMDb). Surely there’s some wiggle room in there somewhere for good shows amongst all the mindless dross?
Kathy B says
Disgusting and disappointing . Typical of Fox but this was the only thing I watched on there. Heaven forbid there should be quality shows on any network . Letโs bring on more crappy reality tv by all means????
Michelle Yuhas says
Love this show and all the actors in it. Of course when I really get into a show they get rid of it. Bring it back. I Love,Love, Love this show!!!
tranquilacres says
This show is great. I guess people would rather watch game shows or Married at first sight,Love Island ,etc. where they don’t need to use their brains. Cancel the good shoes and leave the crappy shows. That’s the American way. Before long we will all be brain dead..Good Job FOX
Shelley says
Absolutely love this show!! I cannot believe it has been cancelled. What is the reasoning behind that??!! I am extremely disappointed, as is my husband. It is definitely one of our favorites. So, so sad.
Lisa says
I can’t believe that you canceled the show this show is so amazing I love it I look forward to it every week after the resident I hope somebody picks it up because this show is so good it keeps me at the edge of my seat I can’t believe you guys did this I’m so disappointed in fact that’s why I don’t watch Fox you guys suck you only have a couple of shows that I like to watch otherwise it’s ABC come on you guys wake up