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Season 1 – Prodigal Son

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2:06

Sep 2019

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Malcolm Bright is a gifted criminal psychologist, using his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, a serial killer father still looking to bond with his prodigal son and his own constantly evolving neuroses. Bright's only ally is his sister, Ainsley, a TV journalist who wishes her brother would take a break from murder and have a normal life. Unfortunately for his sister, the only way Bright feels normal is by solving cases with the help of his longtime mentor, NYPD Detective Gil Arroyo. Arroyo's one of the best detectives around, and he expects no less from his team, which includes Detective JT Tarmel, a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself.

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Critics Consensus

Though it shows promise, Prodigal Son sidelines a spectacular Michael Sheen in favor of a more pedestrian procedural that often drifts too deeply into the grotesque.

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Deborah Ross

The Mail on Sunday (UK)

08/03/2020

1/5

As this doesn't take itself seriously, it's hard to know why we should, and the result is plain hammy. In fact, as ham these days is 82 per cent injected water, this may even be more hammy than actual ham. Yes, I'm pretty sure it is.

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Hugo Rifkind

The Times (UK)

08/03/2020

Much cleverer than it pretends to be. Which isn't very.

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Suzi Feay

Financial Times

08/03/2020

3/5

Fortunately Payne can sparkle to order, and Sheen makes the simple greeting "My boy!" drip with malice, glee, neediness and guile.

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Camilla Long

Sunday Times (UK)

08/03/2020

Deliciously camp.

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Adam Sweeting

The Arts Desk

07/29/2020

4/5

This is an instantly addictive show, dominated by the blackly comic Sheen but also sprinkled with delicious character roles, not least Bellamy Young.

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Young K

@Youngkim 3d

The storyline is intriguing but the bad acting makes it not believable. Martin Sheen presents himself more like a mad scientist than a serial killer. The Malcom bright guy’s overacting is exhausting to watch. This show would have worked if it was more dark but you can’t take the show seriously because of the overtop personalities of the characters.

Gregory S

@Gregory566 Jan 16

This show is truly frustrating. I really enjoy the characters, the over all story, and the actors do a pretty great job. Michael Sheen is probably one of the most underrated actors of all time. How he has not won or been nominated for an Oscar or an Emmy is a true travesty. My primary issue with the show were the individual story lines and cases. Some were just absolutely ridiculous. But, it is a worth while show to watch.

CheJin S

@lauralrg Jan 15

This show deserves so much more, the cast is perfect and I would love a season 3.

Gretchen B

@gbaneyx Jan 15

The acting is top notch and appropriately over the top. Loved it and was very disappointed there was no season 3. I don't get all the hate from the critics. Audiences seem to agree.

Amanda C

@Acrisp Jan 14

I LOVED this show. If you liked " Elementary" with Lucy Lou, and Mind Hunters (which yes I know is not the same because it’s based on real people,) you’ll love this. The cast is really likeable. Is the quirky CSI a little too over-the-top? Yes. But It’s the actress who plays Lane in Gilmore Girls, so it really didn’t bother me that much. The mom is the actress from Scandal, the dad is Lucian from the Underworld. The family is fun. The detectives are grounding. If you’re still reading, I’m sure you’ll like it.

Laura L

@lauralp Jan 11

This TV show deserves a season 3 and more! All the actors did an amazing work, best TV show.

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Tom Payne

Malcolm Bright

Michael Sheen

Dr. Martin Whitly

Bellamy Young

Jessica Whitly

Lou Diamond Phillips

Gil Arroyo

Halston Sage

Ainsley Whitly

Aurora Perrineau

Dani Powell

Episode 1

Aired Sep 23, 2019

Pilot

Criminal psychologist Malcolm Bright helps the NYPD solve crimes, while also dealing with a manipulative mother, an annoyingly normal sister and a homicidal father.

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Episode 2

Aired Sep 30, 2019

Annihilator

As Bright slips into the mind of a serial killer, he must deal with the repercussions of seeing his father for the first time in years.

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Episode 3

Aired Oct 7, 2019

Fear Response

A drug-induced homicide forces Malcolm to rethink his fears; Gil, Jessica and Ainsley catch wind that Malcolm has been seeing his father again.

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Episode 4

Aired Oct 14, 2019

Designer Complicity

As Malcolm's childhood memories surface, he realizes his father's killing spree may not have been a surprise to everyone in the family; Malcolm, Gil, Dani and JT hunt for a stalker with a creepy eye for design.

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Episode 5

Aired Oct 21, 2019

The Trip

Malcolm searches the depths of his mind to unravel the mystery of the girl in the box; when the NYPD investigates a homicide and assumes it is linked to a drug cartel, Malcolm discovers a secret about Dani's past that draws them closer together.

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Episode 6

Aired Oct 28, 2019

All Souls and Sadists

When Bright uncovers a photo of himself and Martin from when he was a kid, he is forced to focus on the repressed memories from his childhood psyche; Jessica and Malcolm agree they must put a stop to Ainsley's idea.

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Episode 7

Aired Nov 4, 2019

Q&A

Bright's quest for answers about his childhood leads him to a junkyard, where he's bombarded with gunshots; Ainsley's exclusive interview with Martin takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to team up with Bright.

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Episode 8

Aired Nov 11, 2019

Family Friend

As the NYPD digs into the "Junkyard Killer" case, Malcolm realizes the main suspect may have had a connection to his father; Ainsley itches to be the first one on the case; Jessica panics, fearing she may never be able to leave the past behind.

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Episode 9

Aired Nov 25, 2019

Pied-A-Terre

When Martin is locked away in solitary confinement and the FBI takes over the Junkyard Killer case, Malcolm uses his spare time as an excuse to try out a normal lifestyle; the NYPD tracks a new homicide that's linked to an elite underground sex club.

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Episode 10

Aired Dec 2, 2019

Silent Night

Knowing that the "Junkyard Killer" was in cahoots with his father, Malcolm goes against the FBI's wishes and continues to investigate; an epic blowout with Ainsley leads Jessica to take matters into her own hands.

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Episode 11

Aired Jan 20, 2020

Alone Time

The FBI and NYPD band together to save Malcolm from the "Junkyard Killer"; as Gil looks for answers from The Surgeon, Ainsley and Jessica search through their memories of the past, hoping to find clues about where Malcolm could be hidden.

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Episode 12

Aired Jan 27, 2020

Internal Affairs

Following a mysterious and catastrophic incident in the precinct, Bright faces an internal affairs review as Gil and the team worry about his mental health.

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Episode 13

Aired Feb 3, 2020

Wait & Hope

Malcolm takes a detour from his mandated vacation time when a killer mimics homicides from one his favorite children's books, "The Count of Monte Cristo"; the NYPD traces the case back to a high society family planning a big wedding.

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Episode 14

Aired Feb 10, 2020

Eye of the Needle

Jessica continues to search for more information on the "Girl in the Box," but is confronted by a new killer who has a very public vendetta against the Whitlys; Ainsley receives a big promotion at work.

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Episode 15

Aired Feb 17, 2020

Death's Door

When a body is found professionally preserved and embalmed, the NYPD teams up with Edrisa to go under cover at a convention of funeral directors; Martin revisits his past through a series of hallucinations.

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Episode 16

Aired Mar 16, 2020

The Job

A motorcycle gang robbery turns into a murder; Malcolm runs into an old friend, and they work to uncover the identity of the murderer; Martin blackmails Jessica, exchanging his silence about who stabbed him for more quality time with his son.

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Episode 17

Aired Mar 23, 2020

Stranger Beside You

A famous blogger's husband is mysteriously stabbed just days after their baby is born; Bright can't shake his paranoia that there's more to Eve than meets the eye; Ainsley uncovers a secret that Eve has been keeping.

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Episode 18

Aired Mar 30, 2020

Scheherazade

A ballet dancer is mysteriously poisoned; Jessica reunites with an old friend; Bright and Eve turn to Martin for answers regarding the girl in the box.

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Episode 19

Aired Apr 20, 2020

The Professionals

After a catastrophic turn of events, Malcolm and Ainsley are convinced there's more to Nicholas Endicott than meets the eye; an impromptu Whitly family reunion.

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Episode 20

Aired Apr 27, 2020

Like Father...

Malcolm continues to unravel as the mystery of the girl in the box comes to a head; as Nicholas Endicott's true colors continue to show, the Whitlys must decide to what lengths they are willing to go in order to take him down.

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