Michael Sheen, known for roles as politicians, vampires, and angels, has portrayed only one mass murderer in his career: Dr. Martin Whitly in the crime drama Prodigal Son, now streaming on Amazon Prime. First released in 2019, the series ran for two seasons and follows criminal psychologist Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne), who helps the NYPD solve cases while grappling with his father's dark legacy as a serial killer known as 'The Surgeon.'
A Psychological Thriller with a Hannibal Lecter Twist
The show centers on Malcolm Bright, who as a child reported his father to the police after discovering he was a serial killer. Years later, a copycat killer emerges using Whitly's methods, forcing Malcolm to reconnect with his imprisoned father to crack the case. The series combines a classic police procedural with the psychological tension of a Hannibal Lecter-style relationship.
Despite a critics' score of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have given it a far more impressive 86%. Fans on IMDb have praised the show, with garytthompson calling it 'the best show in a long time. It's got all of the above. A great cast and writing. It's so hard for a show to get both the intense drama with just the right amount of humour.'
Fan and Critic Reactions
Viewers have been enthusiastic: williesjill said, 'This show is incredible. You never know what is going to happen next. Definitely keeps you guessing. Well written, and all the characters are so good. Well done!' Mozjen added, 'Prodigal Son has a phenomenal cast and brilliant script writing. I have been hooked since the first episode, and the show just gets better with every new episode.'
Metro's Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay shared his thoughts: 'The electrifying and unpredictable chemistry between Tom Payne and Michael Sheen is undeniable as the game of cat and mouse between 'The Surgeon' and his traumatised son left me glued to the screen, forgetting even to check my phone.' He noted the depth of the character goes beyond sociopathy, questioning how much Whitly is manipulating his son versus genuinely loving him. Lindsay also highlighted Alan Cumming's guest role as notable and expressed hope that the show's success on Prime might lead to a reboot.
Michael Sheen's Performance Steals the Show
Most reviews agree that Sheen is the standout. Sooshaq said, 'Michael Sheen is just a fantastic serial killer in my opinion. Intelligent, scary, and kinda charming but in a creepy way.' Dargon Luna added, 'Exactly the show I have been waiting for. Michael Sheen is fabulous (of course)!' Even a 1/10 review from JKOO8740 called Sheen 'flawless.'
Seasons one and two of Prodigal Son are now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
