How to Watch Every Citadel TV Show In Order
What if the world’s most advanced spy network was infiltrated by enemies and shattered into pieces? This is the thought that sparked the concept for Citadel, Amazon’s first international spy-thriller series that opened the door to an expansive interconnected universe of spies spread across continents. Created by the Russo Brothers, Citadel is a high-stakes spy-action thriller filled with intense action, unpredictable twists, and a gripping narrative that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats till the very end. Released in 2023, the series quickly climbed to the top of the streaming charts and received widespread acclaim, giving way to two international spin-offs, Citadel: Honey Bunny and Citadel: Diana, each delivering localised storylines while tying back to the overarching narrative, creating a truly global and interconnected storytelling experience.
Each of the Citadel series is designed to stand out on its own. If you want to follow the entire story we’d recommend watching the series in chronological order as it's the most structured and linear way to follow the story. The chronological order follows a natural progression of events beginning with the prequel (Citadel: Honey Bunny), moving onto the main series (Citadel Season 1), and then concluding with an epilogue series (Citadel: Diana).
In contrast, the release order feels a little disjointed, starting with the main story, jumping directly to the epilogue, and then finishing off with the prequel, making it a lot more fragmented and unnecessarily confusing. Here are all the shows in a chronological order:
Citadel Season 1 (2023)
The original series that kickstarted Amazon’s interconnected spy franchise, Citadel stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden as Nadia and Mason, two former top-tier spies tasked with piecing together the truth after the world's covert intelligence networks have collapsed. Think of it as a more long-form, bingeable version of a James Bond’s Skyfall which also deals with the fall of a highly intricate spy network. It’s a dream come true for anyone who’s a fan of high stakes espionage, globe trotting adventure, and tightly plotted thrillers like Jack Ryan or The Recruit.It’s more fast-paced and adrenaline-fueled than Citadel: Diana and less over-the-top than Honey Bunny, making it the most balanced and engaging entry in the franchise for viewers seeking high-stakes spy action. Fans of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s earlier work in Quantico will enjoy seeing her in a more grounded and intense role in Citadel.
Set in 1990s India, Citadel: Honey Bunny is a prequel series that explores the origin story for Citadel’s lead spy, Nadia, and her world. Despite being Nadia’s origin story, the show is largely self-contained, which means you can watch it without any prior knowledge of the Citadel universe if you’re simply looking for a fun, Bollywood-style action series. If you enjoy Indian action shows with colourful characters and jaw dropping twists like The Family Man or The Night Manager you’ll feel right at home with Citadel: Honey Bunny. It’s smaller in scope, set primarily in India, and is a lot less high-stakes and uncomplicated than Citadel or Citadel: Diana, making it the most accessible entry for fans who enjoy light-hearted shows, character-driven spy-action, and easy to digest adventures that don’t require too much attention to follow. Think Mr and Mrs Smith meets The Little Drummer Girl with the spy couple chemistry and the show-business setting, but a lot more Bollywood inspired.
Set eight years after the fall of Citadel, Citadel: Diana takes us into the heart of Europe’s underground spy network through the eyes of Diana, a mole working covertly in the Manticore to avenge the death of her parents. Unfolding over the course of six episodes, Citadel: Diana takes a more grounded, and deliberate approach, emphasizing moral conflicts, character development, and complexities of trust and betrayal inherent in a double life. This slower, introspective pace might feel a little restrained for fans who enjoy the fast-paced, sleek action thrills of the original Citadel or the theatrics of Citadel: Honey Bunny, but it rewards viewers who appreciate layered storytelling and the psychological tension of shows like Slow Horses or Killing Eve. It’s also the only entry in the franchise to focus on a single female protagonist, making it a solid pick for fans of female centric action shows like Alias or Nikita. As an extension of the Citadel universe, Diana gives fans a rewarding dive into the world of Manticore and European espionage. For newcomers, the story does stand out on its own, but the full experience is richer if you’ve already watched Citadel before.
