Can a franchise built on American history survive without its original leading man?
In short: National Treasure: Edge of History attempted to expand the beloved film franchise by shifting the focus to a younger cast and new historical mysteries. Despite featuring returning stars and a commitment to canon, the Disney+ series faced a mixed critical reception and was canceled after only one season.
Developed by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, the series debuted on December 14, 2022, following a younger protagonist named Jess Valenzuela. Played by Lisette Olivera, Jess is a DACA recipient who discovers her late father was part of a secret network of treasure protectors. The show sought to maintain the spirit of the original films by incorporating familiar faces, including Justin Bartha as Riley Poole and Harvey Keitel as Peter Sadusky, while introducing Catherine Zeta-Jones as a ruthless antiquities dealer.
The production, which filmed in Baton Rouge and Santa Fe, aimed to blend action-adventure tropes with modern themes. Critics noted a shift in focus from the Freemasons—a central element of the films—toward topics like colonialism and the challenges faced by undocumented individuals. While some reviewers praised the show’s lighthearted tone and engaging puzzles, others criticized the dialogue and pacing. Aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic reflected these mixed sentiments, with the former reporting a 38% approval rating.
Despite the mixed reviews, the series saw notable spikes in audience demand. Data from Parrot Analytics showed the show reaching eighth place among new programs in January 2023, with demand 16.5 times higher than the average series. Viewership metrics from Whip Media also indicated the show climbed into the top five most-streamed original programs in the U.S. by late January. Nevertheless, Disney+ canceled the series in April 2023. Even with its cancellation, the show remains part of the official franchise canon, as confirmed by writer Ted Elliott in 2024.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: National Treasure: Edge of History
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