Amazon Prime Video has become a bigger player in the ongoing streaming wars. It certainly doesn't hurt that the streamer has had success with high-profile shows “The Boys”, which has become a fully-fledged franchise that includes several spin-offs. These are serials with big names and big stars. However, sometimes a smaller show (relatively speaking) can break through the hype and become a huge hit. It's the same with The Rig.
Starring Iain Glen (“Game of Thrones”) and Emily Hampshire (“Schitt's Creek”), “The Rig” season 2 recently premiered on Prime Video to begin in 2025. It quickly entered Prime Video's top 10 chart and is currently number four in the US FlixPatrol. It also means she'll be back from “Cross,” the new “Alex Cross” series, and “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” These are both shows with huge brand recognition. However, this British supernatural thriller managed to blend in with the bigger series.
For this purpose, “Reacher” is also ranked sixth ahead of the show's third season debutIn the same mix with other knights like “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and “Fallout”. None of these Mr. The Beast reality show can't compete with Beast Games, but it's up there. Anyway, “The Rig” is the main surprise here.
The series follows the crew of a giant oil rig struggling to survive after a strange fog cuts off all communications. Stranded with few supplies, Magnus (Glenn) must lead his broken colleagues in an ever-evolving crisis. His increasingly desperate efforts to reestablish contact with the mainland fail as tensions rise, culminating in a devastating accident that exposes them all to the dangers of one of the most extreme working environments on the planet.
The device has become a secret hit for Prime Video
What's fascinating about this show's success is what it says about the state of streaming. Amazon in particular has spent untold fortunes to produce global hits. Russo Brothers' “Citadel” cost 200 million dollarsfor example. Yes, it was successful when it landed, but was it big enough to justify this level of spending? The same can be asked of “Rings of Power,” which may be one of the most expensive shows ever made.
Meanwhile, The Rig is a Scottish series produced in the UK and created by an otherwise unknown writer named David Macpherson. Nothing about it screams “big hit”. While the budget hasn't been disclosed, it's cheaper than many of Prime Video's other marquee shows given (among other things) the lack of A-list actors. Glen is of course a damn fine performer, known for his portrayal of Jorah Mormont on Game of Thrones and even playing Bruce Wayne on the DC Comics series Titans. However, it is reasonable to assume that he does not command an extraordinary salary.
Regardless, the show has clearly gained a following in the two years since its first season premiered. It wasn't an obvious attempt to score hits. Instead, an unknown writer had a compelling idea, they found the money to bring their concept to life, and it slowly found its audience. It's not a small independent production or anything like that, but it's kind of a “David and Goliath” story for the streaming era. So, you know, don't be surprised if the show gets picked up for a third season.
“The Rig” is now streaming on Prime Video.
