‘Critical Role’ Is Snagged By Amazon Prime For 2 Seasons

There’s no denying that Amazon’s getting aggressive this holiday season. The weekly online-based series “Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina” has been approved by Amazon Prime Video for two seasons of over-the-top hilarity, as highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter. In addition to said seasons, Amazon and “Critical Role” have also signed a first-look deal, wherein Amazon Prime will have exclusive rights over the company’s forthcoming projects.

Initially launched in 2015 on Twitch as a web series, “Critical Role” follows its creator, Matthew Mercer, and friends amid a lengthy "Dungeons & Dragons" campaign. The show, alongside Mercer, also stars Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Sam Riegel, Taliesin Jaffe, and Travis Willingham.

A bit confusing, though common for typical online-based web series like it, Critical Role is also the name of Mercer’s studio, which has since 2015 gone on to develop a wide variety of mixed content, such as comics and podcasts. Mercer and company’s animated series “The Legend of Vox Machina,” initiated on Kickstarter, received over $11 million in funds for a 10-episode season.

As the Kickstarter page itself relates:

“…Amazon is throwing their support behind the show, allowing us to improve on the quality of the animation, the score, the special effects – you name it. And with 24 episodes to play with, instead of just 10, we’ll not only complete the entire Briarwood storyline in the animated series, but we’ll forge ahead into other classic Vox Machina story arcs as well!”

Along with the original cast serving as both voices and producers, “Critical Role” will also be adding a few new faces to its ever-growing family. These new people include executive producer of “Star Wars Resistance” Brandon Auman, animation studio Titmouse, Inc. executive producer Chris Prynoski, and Emmy-Award nominated director Sung Jin Ahn, all of whom will only brighten the magic under the “Critical Role” name.

Head of Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke, said on the nature of the show and their deal:

“Critical Role blazed a new trail for original digital content, with fresh new voices and humor that earned devoted fans around the world, as evidenced by their wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. We’re thrilled to work with the whole team to bring 'The Legend of Vox Machina,' and new Critical Role series, to our Prime Video customers.”

It’s unclear when exactly Amazon will be releasing the show, though excited fans may have to wait until late 2020.