‘Prodigal Son’ Canceled After 2 Seasons: Cast and Crew React
Cast and crew members on Prodigal Son have been reacting to the news that the show has been axed by Fox and won’t be returning for a third season.
Ratings have seen a dip in season 2, averaging just over 2 million viewers weekly and 0.4 demo rating, down 38% and 45% from the first season.
This ranks Prodigal Son fourth among Fox’s six original dramas that have aired this TV season. The only shows it ranked better than are Filthy Rich and NEXT, both of which have already been cancelled.
The series revolves around Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne), a troubled former FBI profiler who now works for the NYPD, and his serial killer father, Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen), who is known as “The Surgeon.”
Following the cancelation news, members of the Prodigal Son cast and crew took to social media to share their reactions, including Payne, who said, “What a trip. Playing Malcolm has been a joy and a privilege.”
He continued: “The best cast on network TV and the most unique show around. We did it in style. Love to everyone who enjoyed it all along with us. And check out the last to eps! THEY ARE AMAZING.”
Bellamy Young, who plays Malcolm’s mother, Jessica, echoed Payne’s sentiments. “I am, as you can imagine, heartbroken that we can’t keep telling this story,” the Scandal actress said. “We’re gonna go out in STYLE though, these last 2 eps are [fire emoji]. Love each of you. So much.”
Prodigal Son will wrap things up on May 18 in the season 2 (and, now, series) finale. Check out more reactions from the stars below.
What a trip. Playing Malcolm has been a joy and a privilege. The best cast on network TV and the most unique show around. We did it in style. Love to everyone who enjoyed it all along with us. And check out the last two eps! THEY ARE AMAZING. 😘 #ProdigalSon
— Tom Payne (@justanactor) May 11, 2021
Just wanted to pop on & say THANK YOU, wonderful #Prodigies , for sharing this adventure with us. I am, as you can imagine, heartbroken that we can’t keep telling this story. We’re gonna go out in STYLE tho- these last 2 eps are 🔥. Love each of you. So much. #ProdigalSon 💗❤️
— Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) May 11, 2021
Love you Dani. Thanks for the ride! Thanks to the crew, the cast , the fans, @FOXTV and @warnerbrostv for everything. Forever grateful for this experience pic.twitter.com/JIxzvC9iBf
— Aurora Perrineau (@AuroraPerrineau) May 10, 2021
#ProdigalSon From “Lil Edrisa” and me to all the #Prodigies out there. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xLB5u6SXGY
— Keiko Agena (@KeikoAgena) May 11, 2021
💔 as I loved making Prodigal Son. I think the best cast on network television. An incredible NYC crew. A staff of brilliant writers led by the Creators/Showrunners Chris Fedak & Sam Sklaver who poured their hearts (and twisted minds) into making this delightfully disturbing show https://t.co/NvUEpGnzPP
— Sarah Schechter (@SarahSoWitty) May 10, 2021
Wow. Gutted. Didn’t see that one coming. Might be taking a few days away from the platform #Prodigies. Just know that you have been the most wonderful, entertaining, brilliant fan base I have ever encountered. Much Love. #GilArroyo #ProdigalSon
— Lou Diamond Phillips (@LouDPhillips) May 11, 2021
Prodigal Son, Tuesdays, 9/8c, Fox
Conversation82 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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#SaveProdigalSon
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This was the best show on tv,such a shame it’s cancelled. We need to do something like lucifer fans did, maybe someone else will pick it up
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I'm with LDP, did not see this coming. Disappointing.
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A petition is in order here.
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I am really upset they cancelled Prodigal Son. I love all of the characters. I love the plot. It's ridiculous they cancelled the show. It seems to me they keep the most ridiculous shows on and cancel the great ones. I wish the cast and crew good fortune in the future. You all did great.
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This was one of the most blindingly original shows on tv in its brilliance.
Perfectly written, directed, and acted.
Every actor / actress carried their own weight, I mean even little LaBamba Lou made the show work, and it was just getting going, the introduction of Miss Zeta Jones into the story line kicked it up another notch, it was just getting better and better.
The psycho triangle of Malcolm , Dad , and Ainsley had spectacular chemistry it worked so well with mom sort of being the straight man(woman) but sometimes she was on her own crazy track and although they all thought they hated him , the tension of them being seduced into the Surqeons charm , dragged the audience right along.
I mean if your going to be murdered how could your resist the Surgeons smile and want someone else. He pulled off the perfect combination of a true psychotic killer and and a Kiebler elf.
Keiko was great left field dark comic relief without taking it too far, and was just always used at the right time to make it quirky but not over done.
Aurora and Frank kept the rudder straight , they were to the series what the bass player and drummer are to a band, keeping enough bottom moving when everyone else is doing their crazy Van Halen solos.....by underacting they kept the stories focused.
The brilliant mash up of the Brady Bunch puff and Adams Family darkness worked in every episode.
Tom Payne totally nailed Malcolm and never lost site of the credibility of his performance.
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Great show!! Huge mistake canceling it!!! One of the best thrillers on television in a long time!! Amazing cast and suspenseful storyline!! I can’t believe it’s over!!
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Very disappointing news. Very.
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Shocked. I would strongly suggest that if the last episode is killing off any of the main characters don’t air it. We can raise the funds and another network will pick it up. Brilliant writing, acting, directing with this fantastic storyline and extraordinary cast. It needs marketing and PR love. We can raise the funds.
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As i mentioned on the article on Monday about Fox's shows and I said this was cancelled, I am very upset about this, I loved the show and the cast was great, please have another network pick it up.
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Without a doubt, the most fascinating, thrilling, never a dull moment show on television. I cannot believe it has been canceled. I read that 'The Resident ' will stay on instead of 'Prodigal Son'. I'm certain it is a great show but seriously...how many medical shows are saturating television? The writers are brilliant and I cannot say enough about the actors. Tell me one other show that has such a collection of fabulous actors.....they are all utterly fantastic and compliment each other. There is No other show on television that is even remotely similar to this. I am uncertain where the number of viewers was obtained but it cannot be correct. Everyone I know...EVERYONE...watches this show. With all the mind numbing, nausea provoking, coma inducing garbage that is currently on the air....and you want to remove this phenomenonal show. What is wrong with you? Seriously???? Praying that a major network picks this award winning ( should be) show and makes a fortune. God bless these amazing actors and writers.
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This is absolutely heartbreaking! This is my favorite show and me and my family tune in every week to watch it and to find out it's just canceled is heart wrenching.
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One of my favorite shows to watch . Such a great story line. Someone HAS to pick this cast and series up on another station... they’d be idiotic not to.
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Oh no. I love all the crazies. Loved the show, the writing and the stars. Hope to see them all again.
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So disappointed that my ALL TIME FAVORITE show has been cancelled. This show was the highlight of my week. I have loved Bellamy Young since Scandal, I have fallen in love with Tom Payne, who I never even knew existed. Michael Sheen I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE from his days as Lucian from Underworld. Lou Diamond Phillips from La Bamba and Death Toll, and I fell in love with Dani and JT. Ainsley, I knew you were like Martin... I am really heartbroken and I really hope that if FOX doesn't rethink their decision, that another network will pick up the show from where it's leaving off. I don't think this is the last we'll see of the Prodigal Son.
-Z. Fonseca
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I'm hardly watching any TV, these days. This is one of the few shows that I actually watch.
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I love this show, all of my favorite shows are going away, boooooo
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One of my favorite shows! I’m very sad that fox isn’t supporting it. Hope another network picks it up!
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Need to start a petition. This is unacceptable. Prodigal Son cancelled after two seasons????? I mean.... Really FOX?!?!?!?!?!?
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Search PS groups on facebook and in general. There are petitions out there.
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I hadn't watched a network show in quite awhile. Now I remember why. Glad I caught Prodigal Son tho! Now, where do we go to save this so that it isn't behind a paywall???!!!!
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I think they are stupid to cancel this amazing show, to all the cast I love you guys and my heart is breaking 💔🌹💕
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It’s the best show on TV! Very disappointed it was canceled. They should definitely rethink there decision!
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C'mon you, please somebody, save Prodigal son!
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Great show will be missed lived it
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Luv this show why does this network cancel all the good shows and keeps the stupid boring ones
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With all the lame and horrible series on network stations they continue to cancel the only ones worth watching! ie Prodigal Son, Stump Town, Lucifer, etc.
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Wow. What a mistake to cancel. Couldn’t believe it. A lot of us work long hours and I always looked forward to the episodes! Intrigue , mental twists, a thriller that always had you thinking and on edge. Loved the logic and reasoning of the crimes. We’ll never know if Malcom becomes his father now will we? Hope another network picks them up. Think they should reconsider this one. Definitely disappointed.
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I'm so upset that it's cancelled. My husband and I look forward to Wed nights. There is nothing on. It surprises me how they will keep garbage shows going and cancel one that actually has great acting and a great plot. Typical. I sometimes wonder if the big wigs even know what they're doing sometimes. This is why people go to steaming networks.
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Wow, I am so disappointed. This is absolutely tops on my list. Looked forward to it all week. Think I am done watching Fox period. really tired of starting a series and then having them cancelled out from under you. This show had everything and none of the crap out there on so many series that just never end
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I'm not happy at all.. my son and I never miss the show. I am hoping HBO or someone else picks all of you up. FOX has a horrible habit of getting viewers hooked on shows then yanking it away.. sorry FOX, WE ARE OUTTA HERE! I will miss you all at Prodigal Son, we love you!!
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Hope someone else takes the show on, Love Michael, Used Live to live in the next Village to me. All the best Cast and Crew. And Diolch yn Fawr Mr Sheen. X
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Come on Prodigal Son fans let’s not let this show go, maybe another network would pick it up, SAVE THIS AMAZING SHOW!!!!
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Hope another channel will pick this amazing show back up, FOX you really are starting to make bad mistakes!!! One of the best shows on right now, I love the cast!!!
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One of my favorite shows!! So sad it’s been canceled. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
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Big, Big, Big Mistake FOX.
I know several people who didn't turn-in to the FOX network but, would make a exception and watch PRODIGAL SON every week. I will say again, Big Mistake FOX!!
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Great show, actors where phenomenal! I hate FOX is cancelling it, riveting TV that kept you on the edge of your seat. It will be missed greatly.
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why bad move on cancellation
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I have LOVED this show! Great characters, great writing. Hoping another network picks it up! Too many stories left to tell.
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I am so sick of Fox cancelling all of the best shows. They don't know what they are doing at all. Clearly.
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Such a great show. It was always interesting and entertaining. Will be greatly missed fox making another big mistake canceling it. hopefully another network or entertainment platform will pick it up Netflix this would fit in perfectly!!
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Why do the best shows get cancelled? The actors in this series are wonderful and play off each other so well! It’s a mistake canceling this show.
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Begging somebody to pick this show up. Nothing else is as unique!
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Whaaaa?! This is the best show ever!!!! Brilliant show! I can’t believe it’s been canceled. We need to do something about this... fast!
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This is literally such sad news. I love this series so much. It’s soooo great, I can’t believe ratings have dropped. Someone pinch me this can’t be true..
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It's a shame the show was canceled great calf great story great everything
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This is disappointing news. Why are all the good shows cancelled?
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I think its a big mistake cancelling this show. They unique and entertaining. Im so shocked and very sad! what's there to watch now? nothing to look forward to
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Disappointed. Best show on right now. Amazing writers and actors.
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So disappointed, great show. Hope another channel picked it up ! Fox has really turned me off, they cancel a lot of good shows.
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I’m very sorry as it’s a great show, and I’ve loved the actors and plot lines. It was fun and scary at the same time! Big mistake canceling it!
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With the number of comments on the tvline post about it I think it might have a shot on another platform - reminds me of the outcry over Lucifer (but could just be wishful thinking)
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Terrible mistake it was a great show
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Loved this show! Unlike anything else on TV. Super bummed!
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This was one show I really looked forward to watching! It was fresh every week. Loved the characters. So looking forward to finding out what motivated the Catherine Zeta-Jones character, and what the surgeon’s next move was going to be, did Malcolm live? Never know!!!
Every person in this cast was special and unique. Bring them back!!
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Sigh. One of the few network shows I still watched. And the cast was soo talented. Soon to be replaced with another talent show I guess...
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I am heartbroken. What a mistake to cancel this brilliant show.
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So disappointed Prodigal Son was cancelled. I looked forward to the show every week. The acting was superb and the show kept me on the edge of my seat. It was unpredictable and nail-biting drama. I thought it was the best show on TV for the last two seasons. Different from anything else. Please, someone bring it back. It's a big void without it.
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My thoughts exactly,Cyndi! So much garbage on TV and they cancel a fantastic, edge of your seat, thriller with a totally original plot .
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I can’t believe they cancelled my favorite show,😢 It was a fantastic cast and wonderfully written. I looked forward to watching it every week. It was my escape from caregiving for an elderly parent. Gonna miss you all!
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Somebody please tell me where to go to protest this horrible decision. We will not stand for our great show being cancelled. That sucks.
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I’m so upset. I have been waiting for the next episode! Loved this show! Thank you to the actors. I always looked forward to watching each episode. Loved it!
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I guess I'm not surprised! Great cast, awesome story line so let's cancel it. With all other shows going to streaming there will be nothing left to watch. To get all the shows that were half decent you would have to stream 100 channels and who can afford that.
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Me and my daughter absolutely loved this show and are really disappointed it is not being continued
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Rats. This was one of my favorite shows. Fox , shame on you. Show absolutely too wonderful to cancel.
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This show grabbed me eventually as much as Prison Break. Sad to see it go. Fabulous cast.
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Sorry to see this canceled. Different and quirky. Not the same old thing. Hope someone picks it up.
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Why does Fox cancle the great shows l am so disappointed. I want to say Fox dont know their a__ from a hole in the ground let alone the great shows.
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I think episode 1 caused a large number of viewers to drop the show. The writers tried to get WOKE and it turned people off. It didn't even make sense. Detective Tarmel has risen through the ranks to the coveted Detective title and no mention of racist cops. Then when Biden says this is a racist country (after white people, who are the majority, elected a black man for president--twice) suddenly Tarmel is targeted because he is not white? People are tired of these constant accusations. Prodigal Son is a really great show. I am saddened that it has been cancelled.
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Very disappointed. Really loved the twists and acting. Very surprised that the show got canceled. I looked forward to it every week
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I cannot believe they canceled this show, I didn't see that coming. They leave these reality shows on... hate them.
There are only 2 shows worth watching on Fox, this one and the Resident.
Please reconsider. There is a lot of potential for all kind of stories. All the actors are great.
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I love this show and I’ve been watching since it started. I am so disappointed in fox big time. I hope some other network will pick up the show cause it is a great show.
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And we all thought Game of Thrones had a horrible ending......!
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This is most definitely the worst series final I have ever seen. Very disappointing. I loved this show
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It was definitely funny, overacted by a lot of the actors, except Lou Diamond Phillips, & predictable @ times. My husband & I tuned in these past few months to watch bc we enjoyed the characters & the storyline.
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Extremely disappointed frustrated with FOX. I am done with them and will NOT watch any new drama you put on the air! PS was a great show and you will regret the cancellation. I hopeit will be picked up by another network or streamimng service.
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I am so disappointed. Such a creative show with awesome actors ! GREAT SHOW
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I don't understand why a show like "Prodigal Son", a show that really digs into you, gets cancelled when mindless shows like"The Conner's" keeps getting renewed. I guess this just shows us the intelligence of our country!
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Another great show being cancelled. What is it with these Networks getting rid of great actors and great show? and putting on dumbed down show? Stupid 'reality' shows? Really!!! What a waste! No wonder Streamline is getting popular! Ever wonder why Network why your ratings are going down? THINK! DUH! DON'T GET RID OF GOOD SHOWS!
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This really is a huge disappointment I loved this show I thought the second season was just as good as the first. I don't know what I'm going to do when it's over not alot of tv shows similar to this one. :''(
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Please don’t cancel this!!! The cast is the best! Netflix come help!!!! Pick up Prodigal Son! I loved how this family was not perfect and still functioned. Michael Sheen so entertaining, I delighted in your “my boy,” and your Cheshire Cat grins. Tom Payne the perfect messed up child… Thank you all for bringing us an entertaining distraction during The pandemic. I hope you find another network home. 🥰😎🗡🍷🍾🕵️♂️🦹♂️