(Editor’s note: This piece was originally published March 6, 2018)
If you had told me when I first read Good Omens in the early 90’s that I would one day visit South Africa to giggle with Neil Gaiman at laptop-screened footage of Dr. Who and David Frost dancing because I was assaying a role in the adaptation of said book, I would likely have offered to purchase some of whatever you must be smoking. But here I am, still giggling at the luck of it.” (Nick Offerman)
Ladies and other people, if you had told me I would finally (stop screaming!) make myself read Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch … which btw, has inexplicably been on my shelf forever (stop screaming), I mightn’t have believed you. After all, there it’s been sitting with a few other books I’ve been meaning to get to for at least five years; why now? Well, it’s not just the multitude of people who’ve said how good the book is — nor is it the fact that Gaiman, himself is writer and showrunner for Amazon’s upcoming series. And, because of the positively stellar cast …
Michael Sheen and David Tennant
David Tennant and Michael Sheen as Crowley and Aziraphale
Did you get that? Michael Sheen and David Tennant!
Jon Hamm as Gabriel
I said, Jon Hamm!
Miranda Richardson as Madame Tracy
Reece Shearsmith as William Shakespeare
Michael McKean as Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell
Anna Maxwell as Beelzebub
Mireille Enos as War
Jack Whitehall as Newton Pulsifer
Josie Lawrence as Agnes Nutter
Yusuf Gatewood as Famine
Adria Arjona as Anathema Device
… I truly was thinking I really have to read that book. Wait, I have to stop; I can’t breathe.
OH MY GODS, YOU GUYS. NICK OFFERMAN IS GOING TO BE IN GOOD OMENS!
There may not be anyone alive who can deadpan a line quite as well as Nick Offerman. He’s a terrific performer, and has to say a lot of things in Good Omens that are humanly impossible to deliver with a straight face. Fortunately, Nick is not entirely human.” (Gaiman)
Offerman will play Warlock’s father, an American diplomat, and no absolutely nobody will be able to resist this adaptation, so just make sure your Prime membership is up to date.
Good Omens is coming to Amazon in 2019, so gird your loins (or whatever you need to do, like say, read. Stop Screaming! *grumble*).
*Update February 14, 2019
Just when you think things can’t get any better, word hits the street that alongside Frances McDormand as the voice of God,
Benedict Cumberbatch will lend his unique vocality as (“a giant animated“) Satan.
I know, right? (and BTW, tptb, Martin Freeman would send this whole thing right over the edge …)
Beginning May 31, 2019, this mind-boggling dream of a limited series will be available for streaming in six parts on Amazon, and holy, have a look at these gorgeous opening titles.
Can’t hardly wait …
