Good Omens is a six-episode miniseries based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Gaiman also wrote and produced the show so even if you haven’t read the book, you can bet it’s as faithful to the source material as it can be.
Set in modern times (2018), the show follows the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and the demon Crowley (David Tennant) as they team up to prevent the Antichrist from jump-starting Armageddon. It’s not a unique plot by any means, but it manages to remain engaging nonetheless with its ingenious execution.
There are many entertaining characters and stories featured in this delightful series, but the spotlight always returns to the touching relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley. We get glimpses of key moments in their 6000 years’ worth of history and how this leads them to taking on the burden of saving humanity.
Despite the urgency of the premise, it’s interesting to note that I found the episodes to have an unhurried pace. Others may find this detrimental to the story-telling, but if you are more of a character-oriented viewer, you will likely enjoy it as much as I did. Whether it’s a major or minor character, their backstories and personalities are well-established and it’s not hard to grow invested in their plights. From the hilarious oddball of a demon Hastur (Ned Dennehy) to the adorably bright young Adam (Sam Taylor Buck), the cast lead by Tennant and Sheen are full of amazing actors/actresses who do an exceptional job of bringing life to their roles.
So is it worth checking out? Absolutely! Two ways this might not be your cup of tea is if you are wholly uninterested in biblical mythology or if you are too serious about it.
There are also plenty of fans who watch this to witness the romance play between Aziraphale and Crowley. If you are here for that, then you won’t be disappointed. The chemistry between Tennant and Sheen is beautiful and the affection their characters have for each other may not be conventional but there is an undeniable love story there that serves as the foundation of the whole narrative.
You can watch Good Omens if you sign up for Amazon Prime. They have a 30-day free trial you should definitely take advantage of!
EDIT 09-15: The Good Omens DVD is now available for pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray! Check out the details and special features here.
EDIT 09-15: The Good Omens DVD is now available for pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray! Check out the details and special features here.