Amazon Prime Video has indefinitely delayed Mr. and Mrs. Smith Season 2 due to casting complications and the departure of showrunner Francesca Sloane to HBO’s Big Little Lies Season 3. The September 11, 2025 announcement leaves fans of the Emmy-nominated spy thriller uncertain about the resolution of Season 1’s explosive cliffhanger, with production now potentially pushed to 2026 despite a $22.4 million California tax credit already secured for the series.
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The Casting Crisis Behind the Delay
The production troubles stem from unresolved casting negotiations despite months of reported attachments. Mark Eydelshteyn (Anora) and Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) were cast as Season 2’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith in December and February respectively, but sources indicate that deals have not closed and the new season is now on indefinite hold.
| Reported Cast Members | Status | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Eydelshteyn | Deal not finalized | Mr. Smith (Lead) |
| Sophie Thatcher | Deal not finalized | Mrs. Smith (Lead) |
| Lily-Rose Depp | Rumored, unconfirmed | Guest/Recurring |
| Gael Garcia Bernal | Rumored, unconfirmed | Guest/Recurring |
| Wagner Moura | Rumored, unconfirmed | Guest/Recurring |
Additional actors including Lily-Rose Depp, Francesca Scorsese, Levon Hawke, Wagner Moura, and Gael Garcia Bernal were all rumored for guest star/recurring roles over the summer, but sources say deals have not closed. This widespread failure to secure talent represents an unusual challenge for a series that was originally scheduled to begin production this fall.
Financial Implications and Production Timeline
The delay carries significant financial consequences for Amazon MGM Studios. Season 2 received a $22.4 million tax credit to relocate shooting from New York to Los Angeles, but the delay could impact Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s California tax incentive as projects have to film within 18 months of getting awarded the credit.
New Regency, which co-produces the series with Amazon MGM Studios, hopes to start pre-production at the end of the year for a 2026 shoot, representing a significant shift from the original fall 2025 production timeline. Industry experts note that major series, especially those relocating production, typically receive new tax credits if they miss their original eligibility window.
Showrunner Departure Creates Creative Vacuum
Perhaps the most significant development is Francesca Sloane’s exit from Amazon MGM Studios for HBO. Sloane had been under overall deals with Amazon MGM Studios since 2020 and co-created Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Donald Glover, serving as showrunner and executive producer for the critically acclaimed first season.
Sources indicate that with Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s second season put on indefinite hold over cast issues, Sloane and Amazon MGM Studios engaged in lengthy conversations about her new pact, but the proposed financial terms were below her previous deal. This led her to explore other opportunities, ultimately landing the coveted position as writer and executive producer of HBO’s Big Little Lies Season 3.
| Season 1 Achievements | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Emmy Nominations | 16 total nominations |
| Emmy Wins | 2 wins (Stunt Coordination, Guest Actress) |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 91% critics, 66% audience |
| Viewership Ranking | Top 5 Prime Video debuts (US) |
| Critical Recognition | Outstanding Drama Series nomination |
Season 1’s Unresolved Cliffhanger
The production delays leave fans hanging on a particularly dramatic note. Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, leaving Glover and Erskine’s character’s fates in limbo after an intense gunfight in their Manhattan brownstone. The season finale ended with John bleeding out from a gunshot wound while Jane was trapped in a safe room, with an exterior shot showing two gunshots being heard from inside their house.
The original plan for Season 2 suggested an anthology approach. Variety reported that neither Glover nor Erskine were expected to appear in Season 2, though Glover remained onboard as an executive producer and co-creator. This creative direction would have allowed the series to explore new characters while maintaining the core spy-couple concept that made the show successful.
Industry Impact and Prime Video’s Strategy
The delay represents a significant challenge for Prime Video’s content strategy. Mr. & Mrs. Smith was one of Prime Video’s top five new series debuts ever in terms of total U.S. viewership when it premiered in February 2024. The series’ success was built on the chemistry between Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, who received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress respectively.
The show’s critical acclaim extended beyond its leads. The series received 16 Emmy nominations for its first season, including best drama series, and ultimately won two Emmys — one for best stunt coordination and another for best guest actress (Michaela Coel). This level of recognition made Season 2 a high priority for Amazon’s original programming efforts.
Looking Forward: Uncertain Timeline
With Sloane’s departure and ongoing cast issues, Mr. and Mrs. Smith Season 2 faces an uncertain future. New Regency hopes to start pre-production at the end of the year for a 2026 shoot, but this timeline depends entirely on resolving the current casting complications and finding a replacement showrunner.
The series was created as a reimagining of the 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, following two lonely strangers who land jobs with a mysterious spy agency and must pose as a married couple while navigating high-risk missions and developing real feelings for each other. This compelling premise, combined with Glover’s creative vision, made the series a standout success for Prime Video.
Prime Video has not issued any official statement regarding the delay, with representatives declining to comment on the production status. The streaming service now faces the challenge of either finding new creative leadership to continue the series or potentially losing one of its most successful original properties.
The entertainment industry will be watching closely to see how Amazon navigates this complex situation, as the resolution could set precedents for how streaming platforms handle high-profile series facing similar challenges. For now, fans of the spy thriller must wait for further developments while hoping that the creative and financial issues can be resolved to bring their favorite secret agents back to screens.
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FAQs
Why has Mr. and Mrs. Smith Season 2 been delayed?
The delay is primarily due to casting issues, with reported stars Mark Eydelshteyn and Sophie Thatcher’s deals not yet finalized, plus the departure of showrunner Francesca Sloane to HBO.
Will Donald Glover and Maya Erskine return for Season 2?
No, reports indicated that neither Glover nor Erskine were expected to appear onscreen in Season 2, though Glover remained attached as executive producer before the current delays.
When might Mr. and Mrs. Smith Season 2 actually premiere?
With production now pushed to potentially 2026, the earliest fans could expect Season 2 would likely be late 2026 or 2027, assuming all issues are resolved.
Could the series be canceled due to these delays?
While the series is currently on indefinite hold rather than officially canceled, the combination of casting issues, showrunner departure, and financial complications puts its future in question.
How successful was Mr. and Mrs. Smith Season 1 on Prime Video?
Season 1 was one of Prime Video’s top 5 new series debuts in the US, earned 16 Emmy nominations, won 2 Emmys, and achieved a 91% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
