Expanding the Citadel universe: New spy series 'Diana' unfolds

Do you love action productions, grand production scales, and engaging stories? Prime Video is heavily investing in "Citadel," one of its flagship offerings, which is expanding into an authentic universe this year. Joe Russo, the executive producer (because the Russo Brothers, known for significant productions and high-budget films, are behind the series), described it as the concept of a global spy agency, Citadel, with members worldwide whose goal is to protect people around the globe. The rival agency, Manticore, challenges Citadel. This makes everyone, wherever they are, equally invested in the stakes Citadel is fighting for.

This led to the creation of two new productions within this world, each with a unique twist. "Citadel: Honey Bunny" is set in India during the 90s, while the second series, "Citadel: Diana," takes place in Italy a few years after the events of the original "Citadel" series. The first episode of "Diana" is already available on the platform.

The first episode starts with a dramatic scene: an agent raises a gun and shoots herself in the arm without hesitation. It's her alibi: no one can know her true motives and purpose.

The world of "Diana" is set in the very near future—the year 2030, with the action primarily unfolding in Milan. Eight years earlier, the Citadel fell, and a powerful hostile syndicate, Manticore, seized power. During this time, Diana Cavalieri (played by Matilda De Angelis), a Citadel agent, has been working undercover behind enemy lines as a spy for Manticore. Social tensions are escalating due to increased support for widespread gun ownership. Manticore's network of agents controls citizens, knowing more about them than they realize. Diana finally sees a chance to escape, leave her life as a spy behind, and vanish forever. But to do so, she must trust the most unexpected ally: Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), who is the heir to Manticore in Italy. We quickly learn her motivations: her lifelong desire is to unravel the mystery behind her parents' tragic deaths and punish the guilty. That's why she joined her greatest enemy.

If you're convinced you recognize the lead actress from somewhere, here's a hint: Matilda De Angelis stole the scene in HBO's miniseries "The Undoing," where she played the character who captivated Hugh Grant's protagonist. She was remarkable in that role, so it's exciting that a broader audience can now see her lead a high-budget production. The Italian actress handles the double agent role with a family secret exceptionally well. As a spy, she is more convincing than the original series' Priyanka Chopra. Her performance is dynamic, showcasing a wide range of emotions. She fits seamlessly into the almost futuristic world of this sequel, which is more visually captivating than the multi-million-dollar production of 2023.

The showrunner of the Italian series, Gina Gardini, notes that one of the first things established was that each series must have its own identity, its visual language, and own tone. She adds there was no expectation of all series being interconnected beyond sharing the same world.

The near-future setting, "subtle" futurism of "Diana," is a fantastic backdrop for a world where billionaires with access to the most sophisticated and deadly technologies operate. Everything fits together seamlessly: set design, costumes, props—creating a polished spy series with a believable central character and a solid plot. The question remains whether De Angelis' still relatively unknown name will draw viewers.