Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Review

Citadel: Diana, the latest installment of Amazon Prime Video’s ambitious Citadel universe, dives into the heart of Italy with a suspense-filled espionage narrative. Starring Matilda De Angelis as Diana, this Italian spin-off adds another chapter to the globe-spanning Citadel franchise. However, much like its predecessor, it struggles to find its footing between high expectations and complex storytelling.

While Citadel: Diana presents a passable follow-up, it neither elevates the franchise nor completely falters. Its modest scale, combined with an intricate plot that feels overly weighed down by backstories and politics, leaves it in a precarious middle-ground position. At six episodes, the series doesn’t overstay its welcome but feels longer due to its narrative complications and slow pace.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Review

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Plot Summary:

Citadel: Diana continues the Citadel universe, centering on Diana (Matilda De Angelis), a former Citadel agent-turned-Manticore operative. The series chronicles Diana’s journey as she navigates internal strife within Manticore, a corrupt organization created to maintain world peace. In 2030, Diana is a low-level agent within the Italian wing of Manticore, but flashbacks reveal her recruitment by Citadel, where she worked as a double agent for eight years.

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After staging the murder of a fellow Manticore agent, Diana sets out to cause chaos within the organization’s leadership. The show explores her emotional turmoil, particularly her quest for revenge against those responsible for her parents’ deaths in a plane crash. The story is complicated further by a dangerous McGuffin that heightens the stakes.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Cast and Characters:

Matilda De Angelis as Diana: The central figure of the story, she brings strength and vulnerability to her portrayal of a conflicted agent caught between two worlds.
Lorenzo Cervasio as Edo Zani: Heir to the Zani family, Edo disapproves of his father’s methods, which gives him a unique dynamic with Diana.
Maurizio Lombardi and Filippo Nigro: Key players within Manticore’s hierarchy, their power struggles drive much of the story.
Thekla Reuten and Julia Piaton round out the cast with supporting roles as part of the Manticore leadership.

What Works:

Matilda De Angelis’ Performance: De Angelis does a commendable job as Diana, balancing the cold precision of a spy with the emotional depth of a woman haunted by her past.
Espionage Drama: The political infighting within Manticore offers a gritty glimpse into the inner workings of a corrupt organization, providing moments of intrigue.
Visual Aesthetic: The show’s cinematography captures the charm of Italy, with sequences set in scenic locales such as Sicily.

What Doesn’t Work:

Over-Complicated Plot: The non-linear structure and excessive focus on Manticore’s politics detract from the central narrative. By splitting the focus between Diana’s past and present, the series loses its momentum.
Underdeveloped Characters: Despite a strong cast, many characters feel underutilized. Diana herself remains a somewhat passive presence in her own story, only emerging as a driving force in the latter half of the series.
Muddled Sci-Fi Elements: The show’s inclusion of futuristic technology, such as a heads-up display and superhuman eavesdropping abilities, feels out of place and detracts from the grounded espionage tone it tries to maintain.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Cast Performances:

Matilda De Angelis delivers a strong performance but is limited by the script, which often confines her to spy-thriller cliches.
Lorenzo Cervasio stands out as Edo Zani, injecting emotional nuance into his character, especially during his interactions with Diana.
Maurizio Lombardi and Filippo Nigro add layers to their roles as power-hungry agents, though their characters could have been further fleshed out.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Technical Aspects:

Cinematography: The Italian landscapes are beautifully captured, bringing a distinct visual identity to the series.
Editing: The editing choices, particularly in handling the show’s timeline, make it difficult to follow at times, hindering the story’s flow.
Music: The score by Maurizio Filardo fits the tone of the series but isn’t particularly memorable.

Verdict:

Citadel: Diana Italian TV Series is a moderately engaging but ultimately uneven addition to the Citadel universe. Its strengths lie in its lead performance and espionage intrigue, but the convoluted narrative and weak character development hinder its potential. For fans of the larger Citadel franchise, it’s a worthy watch but unlikely to draw in new viewers or redefine the genre.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Director:

Directed by: Arnaldo Catinari.

Citadel Diana Italian TV Series Rating:

Rating: 2/5

Where to Watch Citadel Diana Italian TV Series:

Citadel: Diana is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Citadel: Diana about?
Citadel: Diana Italian TV Series follows Diana, a former Citadel agent working as a double agent within the Manticore organization. The show explores her quest for revenge and the internal politics within Manticore.
Is Citadel: Diana Italian TV Series connected to the original Citadel series?
Yes, Citadel: Diana is an Italian spin-off of the Citadel universe, which began with the original series starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden.
Who plays the lead role in Citadel: Diana Italian TV Series?
Matilda De Angelis stars as Diana, the central character in the series.
How many episodes are there in Citadel: Diana?
The series consists of six episodes.
What are the sci-fi elements in Citadel: Diana?
The show features futuristic technology, such as a heads-up display and advanced eavesdropping abilities, though these elements are not heavily emphasized.
Will there be another Citadel spin-off?
Yes, another spin-off titled Citadel: Honey Bunny is in development, and its success may determine the future of the franchise.
Is Citadel: Diana worth watching?
If you’re a fan of the Citadel universe or espionage dramas, Citadel: Diana is a decent watch, though it may not leave a lasting impression.