Samantha Ruth Prabhu–Varun Dhawan’s Citadel: Honey Bunny Cancelled by Amazon; Priyanka Chopra’s Citadel to Return in 2026

Amazon MGM Studios pulls the plug on Indian and Italian spin-offs of Citadel, including Honey Bunny starring Samantha and Varun. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra’s global series gets renewed for a second season set to release in 2026.

🗓️ April 17, 2025 | In a major development for fans of the Citadel universe, Amazon MGM Studios has officially cancelled its Indian spin-off Citadel: Honey Bunny starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan, as well as the Italian version Citadel: Diana with Matilda De Angelis. The decision comes even as the second season of the flagship series starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden is confirmed for a 2026 release.

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📉 Why Were the Spin-Offs Cancelled?

According to Vernon Sanders, Head of Television at Amazon MGM Studios, the stories from the Indian and Italian adaptations will now be integrated into the second season of Citadel, which recently wrapped filming. Both Honey Bunny and Diana will not continue as standalone series.

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“They will not continue as individual series,” Sanders stated, but added, “Season 2 will be the most exhilarating yet.“

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💰 Budget & Backlash: The Troubled History of Citadel

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• First Season Cost: Over $200 million for just six episodes
• Production Challenges: Multiple reshoots, change of showrunners, and creative direction shifts
• Launch Year: 2023
• Criticism: Mixed reception, poor global traction for Honey Bunny and Diana, and lack of consistent vision following Jennifer Salke’s exit from Amazon MGM

The spin-offs were expected to elevate Citadel into a global IP akin to James Bond, but Amazon’s acquisition of the actual Bond franchise has likely changed strategic priorities.

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🎬 What’s Next for the Franchise?

• Citadel Season 2 (Main series):
  • Stars: Priyanka Chopra, Richard Madden
  • Filming: Completed
  • Release: 2026, 3 years after Season 1
• Other Spin-Offs:
  • Citadel: Mexico is reportedly on indefinite hold
  • No new spin-offs currently in active development

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🎭 Cast Spotlight – Honey Bunny

• Samantha Ruth Prabhu
• Varun Dhawan
• Directed by Raj & DK, the series was expected to blend Indian action-thriller sensibilities with the larger Citadel espionage universe. However, it failed to garner global viewership traction post its 2024 release.

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Citadel Honey Bunny cancelled, Samantha Varun Citadel, Priyanka Chopra Citadel Season 2, Citadel spin-offs, Amazon MGM Studios, Citadel Diana cancelled, Citadel Mexico on hold, Citadel budget 200 million