Michael Sheen, known for roles as politicians, vampires, and angels, has only played one mass murderer in his career: Dr. Martin Whitly in the crime drama Prodigal Son. The series, which originally aired from 2019 to 2021, is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Plot and Premise
The gritty thriller follows Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne), a criminal psychologist who helps the NYPD catch criminals. Malcolm harbors a dark secret: as a child, he discovered his father, Martin Whitly (Sheen), was a serial killer known as The Surgeon and reported him to the police. When a copycat killer adopts Whitly's methods, Malcolm must reconnect with his incarcerated father to solve the case. The series blends a classic police procedural with a Hannibal Lecter-inspired twist.
Critical and Audience Reception
While Prodigal Son holds a 56% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are far more enthusiastic, giving it an 86% rating. On IMDb, fans have praised the show. User garytthompson called it 'the best show in a long time,' adding, '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.' Another user, williesjill, wrote: '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 commented: '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.'
Michael Sheen's Performance
Most reviews highlight Sheen's portrayal as the standout element. User 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 user who gave the show 1/10, JKOO8740, admitted Sheen was 'flawless' in the role.
Metro's Review
Metro's Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay praised the chemistry between Tom Payne and Michael Sheen. '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 wrote. Lindsay noted that while the premise of consulting a jailed serial killer is familiar, the depth of the character raises questions about how much Whitly is manipulating his son versus genuinely loving him. He also highlighted the first season's finale as 'jaw-dropping' and praised Alan Cumming's guest role.
Streaming Availability
Both seasons of Prodigal Son are now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
