Globally Aimed 'Citadel' Spy Series Sports A Stellar Cast

We here at Telly Visions concentrate on British TV series and movies (and Canadian/Australian/New Zeland based productions, sometimes with a side of German or French fare). However, the major streaming services we cover are all American-based, and most of what they produce is American-focused. Netflix has been trying to change that, but on the small end of the scale, bringing in waves of mid-tier shows from other countries like India, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and the like. But until now, no one has attempted to make a truly global series in scale and attitude. Amazon Studios seeks to change that with what it bills as its most ambitious project ever, Citadel.

Helmed by Joe and Anthony Russo, best known as the team that made some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most successful crossover films, the concept behind Citadel is a single mothership show designed for global appeal. It will then beget spinoff shows, each set in and aimed at audiences in those markets Netflix is also targeting (Mexico, India, etc.). With both the Indian and American markets in mind, the main show stars Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Krrish) as a pair of spies who, until recently, both worked as elite spies for the titular Citadel, an organization with no allegiance or country.

Here's the series logline:

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 and Nadia Sinh 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, 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.

The trailer was supposed to be released on March 1, 2023, but due to the graphic nature of some of the imagery, it was held out of respect after the deadly Greece train crash that occurred earlier that day.

Madden and Chopra-Jonas may get the headline lead roles, but the series is anchored by two veterans who Anglophiles will eagerly tune in to watch. Stanley Tucci (Inside Man) stars as the pair's former co-worker, Bernard Orlick, while Lesley Manville (Magpie Murders) continues her Manvillaissance as Dahlia Archer, who works for Manticore and is the show's primary antagonist. Also, Australian actor Ashleigh Cummings, who starred as Dot in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. 

Other co-stars for the primary series include British actor Osy Ikhile (In The Heart of The Sea), Danish actor Roland Møller (The North Water), and American actor Caoilinn Springall (The Midnight Sky). Recurring actors include British actors Nikki Amuka-Bird (Luther), Leo Woodall (The White Lotus), and Susan Lynch (Unforgotten), French actor Sara Martins (Death in Paradise), Irish actor Gráinne Good (Call The Midwife) and Japanese actor Leo Ashizawa (A Discovery of Witches).

Citadel’s first season is set to run six episodes, with all scripts spearheaded by the team of Josh Appelbaum and Bryan Oh, best known as the team behind the American version of Life on Mars, with David Weil (Hunters), who is also acting as showrunner.

But as noted, this is just the primary series; The Russos are already working on spinoffs aimed at specific countries, starring local talent. According to Vanity Fair, there’s an Italian-based series starring Matilda De Angelis (Leonardo), which is already in post-production, while the Indian-based series, which stars Varun Dhawan (Dilwale) and Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Theri) and ties back to Chopra Jonas’s character Nadia, is currently filming. Two further spinoffs are planned, set in Spain and Mexico, with plans to go into production later this year.

Citadel will premiere on Friday, April 28, with two episodes and then follow a weekly release schedule every Friday through May 26, 2023.