Fox has successfully transformed a cinematic disappointment into a broadcast hit. The network’s thriller series, Memory of a Killer, has been renewed for a second season following a standout performance in the ratings, marking a significant turnaround for the property after the 2022 Liam Neeson film failed to gain traction.
The television adaptation premiered on January 25, 2026, and quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Fox lineup. The series launch secured a 1.35 rating in the key demographic, making it the highest-rated new drama telecast of the season. According to The TV Ratings Guide, the strong viewership led to an early second-season renewal in April 2026.
While the project shares its DNA with the 2022 film Memory, the television series features Patrick Dempsey in the lead role of Angelo Ledda (also referred to as Doyle). The character is a professional hitman grappling with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, a premise based on Jef Geeraerts’ 1985 novel De Zaak Alzheimer and its subsequent 2003 Belgian film adaptation.
Despite the 2022 film’s underwhelming performance—it grossed approximately $14 million worldwide and was largely dismissed by critics—there is a direct creative link between the two projects. Martin Campbell, who directed the Neeson-led film, serves as an executive producer on the television series, providing a bridge for the story’s tonal transition from film to episodic drama.
The series features a supporting cast that includes Michael Imperioli, Gina Torres, Richard Harmon, and Odeya Rush. This ensemble helps flesh out the world beyond the central hitman, focusing on the legal and criminal consequences of his actions as his cognitive health declines.
The success of Memory of a Killer suggests that the “hitman with a fading memory” concept found its ideal format in long-form television. While the Neeson film struggled to find an audience in theaters, the Dempsey-led series has achieved stability on Fox and affiliated streaming services as it prepares for its second season.