The award winning drama Transparent may get all the headlines, but Amazon has a new original series leader, and it’s The Man in the High Castle. The show has become the most-streamed original series for the Amazon Prime Instant Video service, reports Variety.
This accomplishment is particularly notable given that the show only launched to subscribers in full one month ago, on November 20. It’s not surprising, then, that the details have also come to light just following Amazon’s announcement that it would be renewing the series for a season two.
Following the tight lips of its streaming rival Netflix when it comes to withholding viewing data, Amazon is not confirming any specific viewership numbers for the show, only saying that The Man in the High Castle is now tops. The series has taken the title from Bosch, which was previously confirmed as the most-streamed original series. The response to Transparent, meanwhile, seems to be tapering off.
Based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick, The Man in the High Castle looks at an alternate history whereby the Axis won World War II rather than the Allies. It was developed by Frank Spotnitz and is executive produced by Ridley Scott, David Zucker, and Isa Dick Hackett. It stars relative unknowns in Alexa Davalos (Mob City), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars), Rupert Evans (The Village), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat Legacy), and Rufus Sewell (Eleventh Hour). Along with monster sci-fi hits like the Alien franchise, Blade Runner, and The Martian, Ridley Scott also executive produces popular TV series like The Good Wife.
It’s clear there was plenty of viewer interest in the show from the get go: when the pilot was released in January, it became the most-watched pilot of all Amazon original series.
While not nearly as prolific, Amazon appears to be giving Netflix a run for its money when it comes to critically acclaimed original series, striking gold on a number of occasions. In addition to successes with The Man in the High Castle, Bosch, and Transparent, Amazon series Hand of God and Red Oaks have also been renewed for new seasons.
