UPDATE: HBO Max passes on picking up Prodigal Son, still being shopped

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

UPDATE: While WBTV continues to shop the recently canceled fan-favorite series Prodigal Son, "Deadline" reports that HBO Max has officially passed on picking up the show for a third season. The streamer seemed like the logical choice since their sibling Warner Bros. TV is the lead studio on Prodigal Son and they already have streaming rights to the two existing seasons but they reportedly don't have space at the moment and opted not to pick up a third season of the show.

Unfortunately, last night was the series finale of Prodigal Son as Fox made the unbelievable decision to cancel the series last week. The show has had a 33-episode run that made it stand out from most procedural series and it's clear that there is so much more story to explore with these characters. Before the finale aired, creators Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver spoke with "Deadline" and they confirmed, with the smallest but most hopeful of blurbs, that they have not given up on keeping Prodigal Son going.

During the chat with "Deadline", the duo confirmed that they are trying to find a new home for Prodigal Son. They both said "WBTV is shopping it as we speak", and while that may not sound like much, it's very possible that the very vocal and loyal fanbase can make their presence known enough to justify another platform picking up the show. Remember when Fox canceled Lucifer? It seemed like the end of the line for that series but Netflix heard the fans of that series and came in with a last-minute save. When Brooklyn Nine-Nine proved to be too much of a financial liability for Fox because they didn't own it and they ultimately canceled the show, NBC stepped in and gave the fan-favorite comedy another home. It's very possible that someone out there will realize Prodigal Son is perfect for streaming and give the show the save it deserves.

Sklaver also revealed that he and Fedak pitched Fox on a potential season three before the cancellation news was made public by the network. They especially had more plans for Vivian Capshaw, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in a bit of stunt casting that actually worked because she had engaging chemistry with Michael Sheen's masterful serial killer. The duo explains that they hadn't pitched the actress on season three yet but they said "We have a totally sane and not at all crazy story for her in season three."

Prodigal Son follows Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne), a criminal profiler with a rare talent for getting into the minds of serial killers. Bright learned this particular skill because his father, Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen) was a notorious serial killer known as "The Surgeon." Using his father's twisted genius, Bright is able to help the NYPD solve their most puzzling murders. The series also stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Aurora Perrineau, Frank Hart's, Keiko Agena, Halston Sage, & Bellamy Young.

When asked if there is a chance to see more seasons of Prodigal Son Fedak replied "I don't know what our chances are but writing for these actors and this crew was a great privilege. I hope we get to work together again." I honestly hope they get their chance to keep Prodigal Son going because as network TV has gotten more stale each season, Prodigal Son stood out as a true devilish delight.

Do YOU think Prodigal Son will be saved by another platform or network?