Summary
A new show withCharlie HunnamandEmilia Clarkeon its roster is about to continue a fascinating trend forPrime Video. When it comes to their acting careers, Charlie Hunnam and Emilia Clarke have had significantly different trajectories. Although both are household names, their paths as actors have never collided until now.
WhileCharlie Hunnam is best known forhis roles inSons of Anarchy,Pacific Rim,King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and, more recently,Rebel Moon, Emilia Clarke’s most recognizable work is inSecret Invasion,Solo: A Star Wars Story, andGame of Thrones. Since the two actors have been involved in distinct movie projects and television shows so far, it would be exciting to see them share the screen in Prime Video’s upcoming show. However, what is even more enthralling about the series is that it will have one core ingredient that many successful Prime Video shows share.
Criminal: Confirmation, Cast, Story & Everything We Know About The Comic Adaptation
Ed Brubaker’s Eisner Award-winning comic book series Criminal has gotten a series order from Prime Video, and there are already exciting updates.
Criminal Is Continuing Prime Video’s Exciting Comic Book Adaptation Trend
Prime Video’s Comic Book Investments Have Been Paying Dividends
Instead of adapting mainstream comic books, Prime Video has been taking lesser-known/indie comic book IPs and turning them into big-budget shows. Given how two of the biggest IPs on the streaming giant,The BoysandInvincible, are also based on comic books,the approach has been working wonders for Prime Video. Owing to this, it is not surprising that the streamer is not holding itself back from picking up other comic books and bringing them to the small screen. With its upcoming show,Criminal, Prime Video will continue this comic book trend.
Although many details surrounding the live-action adaption are unknown, reports confirm that Emily Clarke and Charlie Hunnam will be among its leads. The show will also feature several other big names and familiar faces, like Adria Arjona, Richard Jenkins, Pat Healy, and John Hawkes. As per reports, the originalCriminalcomics' author, Ed Brubaker, has been involved with the project since its inception and even wrote the screenplay for its premiere. He is also the co-showrunner with Jordan Harper, and Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck recently hopped on board as the show’s first four episodes' directors.
How Criminal Is Different From The Boys & Invincible
Criminal Is Grounded In Realism
UnlikeThe Boys&Invincible,Criminaldoes not revolve around morally ambiguous super-powered individuals. Instead, as its title suggests,it is more of a crime noir comic series that grounds its action, drama, and mysteries in realism. In the comic book series, author Ed Brubaker and illustrator Sean Phillips create a web of interconnected narratives that follow everyone from mobsters to corrupt police officers, from veterans to petty thieves. Although the comics' overall world-building takes time to fully unfold, its taut storytelling and compelling individual crime stories are enough to keep one hooked.
Owing to the abundance of source material,Criminal could even last longer thanThe BoysandInvincibleif its initial seasons perform well.
While it is unclear how the show will adapt the comics, Ed Brubaker’s involvement with the TV series suggests it will tread the same path as the source material andwalk through all the intertwined generations of crimethat unfold throughout the series. Owing to the abundance of source material, Criminal could even last longer thanThe BoysandInvincibleif its initial seasons perform well. Regardless of how thePrime Videoshow will approach the source material, with Emilia Clarke and Charlie Hunnamas its leads and Brubaker as co-showrunner,Criminalseems like a promising project.
Criminal Is The Comic Book Adaptation Emilia Clarke & Charlie Hunnam Needed
The Two Actors Seem Perfect Fits Despite Having No Successful Comic Adaptations Under Their Belts
Owing to his diverse acting background and ability to perfectly embody some of the most badass characters, like Jax Teller inSons of Anarchyand Ray inThe Gentlemen, Charlie Hunnam has been fan-cast in countless comic book roles, including Green Arrow, Hush, and Captain Britain. As per reports,Hunnam was among the frontrunners to play Thor in the MCUand even declined the offer to play Green Arrow because he was just not interested. With so many missed opportunities and rejections in the comic book adaptation realm behind him, the stars finally seemed to have aligned for Hunnam withCriminal.
Considering the scale and potential of Amazon’sCriminaland the streamer’s history of delivering brilliant adaptations likeThe BoysandInvincible, Emilia Clarke seemingly needs the series as much as Charlie Hunnam.
Unlike Hunnam, Emilia Clarke has been involved with one live-action superhero universe. She recently appeared as G’iah in 6 episodes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’sSecret Invasion. Unfortunately,Secret Invasionreceived underwhelming reviews from viewers and critics, leaving Emilia Clarke with no successful comic book adaptations. Considering the scale and potential of Amazon’sCriminaland the streamer’s history of delivering brilliant adaptations likeThe BoysandInvincible, Emilia Clarke seemingly needs the series as much as Charlie Hunnam.
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Will Criminal Be Prime Video’s The Boys Replacement After Season 5?
It Has The Potential To Be Even Bigger
From a narrative standpoint,Criminalmay be significantly different fromThe Boys. However, as the big names in its cast suggest, Amazon is betting heavily on the show and aiming to make it as big asThe Boys. Despite being written by Garth Ennis (best known for his work in thePreacherandPunishercomics),The Boys' comic bookshave never been known to be as exceptional as the show. They have a few brilliant ideas here and there but have never earned the level of acclaim that Amazon’s adaptation has achieved.
The Criminal comic book series, in contrast, is widely known for its well-crafted and intricate takes on gritty crime fiction and has even won several awards for its art and writing. If Amazon could make something so entertaining out ofThe Boys' comic books,it certainly could present something even better withCriminal’s strong source material writing. Not to mention, with renowned stars likeCharlie HunnamandEmilia Clarkein its roster, Criminal could undoubtedly becomePrime Video’sThe Boysreplacement.
Criminal
Based on the comic series, Criminal is an action crime series developed by Ed Brubaker and Jordan Harper for Prime Video. This adaptation follows various characters within and adjacent to a bustling criminal underworld and comprises several arcs that occasionally intersect. The series was greenlit by Amazon in 2024.
