As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has traversed the cinematic landscapes of numerous spy thrillers, I must say that the Russo brothers’ latest offering, “Citadel: Diana,” is a captivating addition to their international espionage franchise. The series seamlessly blends elements of suspense, intrigue, and action, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
On October 10, 2024, you can find “Citadel: Diana” streaming on Prime Video. This is the newest installment in the Russo brothers’ “Citadel” global espionage TV world. The 6-episode series follows the story of Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), a brave Italian spy operating covertly in future Milan to dismantle Manticore, the enemy intelligence agency that had almost wiped out the Citadel spy network a decade ago.
It’s intriguing to ponder if and in what manner the upcoming series titled “Citadel: Diana” ties into the original “Citadel” airing on Prime Video in April 2023, given its fresh showrunner, setting, ensemble cast, and use of an international language. Since there are no source novels or pre-existing intellectual properties to provide a clear narrative framework for viewers, all questions regarding their connection will be addressed in due time.
What Is Citadel About?
To fully appreciate the powerful influence of “Citadel: Diana”, it’s crucial to know the backstory of its precursor, “Citadel”. This is a globally acclaimed TV series produced by Joe and Anthony Russo. The trio behind its creation are Josh Applebaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil. In this series, we follow the adventures of professional spies Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra), who work for the Citadel espionage agency.
When Kane and Nadia uncover a sinister rival spy group known as Manticore, spearheaded by UK Ambassador Dahlia Archer (Lesley Manville), a devastating event erases their memories. Eight years down the line, Kane takes on the alias Kyle Conroy while Nadia becomes Charlotte Vernon. As Manticore gains prominence in the absence of the Citadel, it falls to Mason and Nadia to recall their identities and their employers, and thwart Ambassador Archer and her followers from dismantling the Citadel entirely.
The first season of “Citadel,” which cost a whopping $300 million to produce, ranks among the priciest TV shows in history. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, an astounding $200 million was allocated for extensive reshoots following Weil’s appointment as showrunner. Despite its high production costs, “Citadel” garnered enough viewership on Prime Video to warrant a second season renewal, tentatively set to air in 2025-2026. However, while the primary “Citadel” series is set to continue, “Citadel: Diana” is just one of several planned international spin-offs.
How Do Citadel & Citadel: Diana Relate to Each Other?
Titled “Citadel: Diana,” this upcoming TV series is one of several spin-offs from Amazon Prime Video and AGBO, the independent studio run by the Russo brothers. While a fresh Italian cast takes center stage, the storyline still centers around Manticore’s global influence on Citadel and the intelligence community. In the year 2030 Milan, the series focuses on Diana Cavalieri, an undercover spy who is working as a double agent to dismantle Manticore and seek retribution for the destruction of the original Citadel eight years ago.
Diana faces a dual struggle: hiding her real self and deciding if she can rely on the new Manticore director, Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), while they secretly observe an arms transaction in hostile territory. However, matters grow more complex when Edo’s father Ettore (Maurizio Lombardi) intervenes by sending them to Sicily, aiming to create tension between the two seemingly unsuitable partners.
In the story, Diana finds herself facing a tough decision between Citadel and Manticore, leading her and Edo to Paris. An unexpected revelation there could lead to another intriguing spy series spin-off. As it turns out, Edo’s father plays a crucial part in this, and flashbacks uncover the importance of Diana’s parents’ enigmatic demise in shaping her choice to either betray or remain loyal. Consequently, Diana, although set in a new location with fresh characters, is connected to the same thrilling universe as Citadel. Diana is the initial installment of various planned international spin-offs from the Citadel franchise, which will be presented in different languages, with the Indian-based series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, set to follow next.
What Is Citadel: Honey Bunny About?
In contrast to “Diana” which is the Italian addition to the “Citadel” spy series, “Honey Bunny” represents an Indian-language spin-off of the same franchise, slated for release on Amazon Prime Video on November 7, 2024. This project, conceived by Raj & DK and produced by the Russos, will be titled “Citadel: Honey Bunny”. Much like its predecessors, it delves into the complex web of intrigue surrounding the notorious Citadel spy network, as it grapples with its ongoing feud against Manticore.
The specifics of the plot are being kept secret, but the Prime Video original TV spin-off features Samantha Ruth Prabhu as Honey and Varun Dhawan as Bunny, who are two spies with moral dilemmas working together abroad to uphold their agency’s reputation. Emma Canning will play the young version of UK Ambassador and Manticore agent Dahlia Archer from the original Citadel series in her role.
It remains uncertain whether Dahlia will make an appearance in flashbacks or if Honey Bunny will set the stage for a prequel. Nonetheless, the cast of “Citadel: Honey Bunny” includes Kay Kay Menon, Simran Bragga, Sikander Kher, Saqib Saleem, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Singh Parihar, and others.
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been thrilled by the action-packed saga of “Citadel,” “Citadel: Diana,” and “Citadel: Honey Bunny.” Now, the excitement continues as the franchise is set to grow with spinoffs, this time taking us to Spain and Mexico. Each spinoff promises a unique twist with different characters, locations, and languages, but they all remain rooted in the same captivating universe that pits the spy agencies Citadel and Manticore against each other in a dramatic tale of rivalry.
Citadel & Citadel: Diana are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-10-16 02:01