Good Omens

Based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens is a fantastic watch. Available on Amazon Prime, it stars an incredible ensemble cast that includes Michael Sheen, David Tennant, John Hamm.

The first season was a six-episode collab between Amazon Studios and BBC Studios and was directed by Douglas Mackinnon.

It was hugely successful when it aired in 2019 and although it was supposed to be a limited series, fans loved it so much that everybody agreed that a second season was needed.

So if you haven't seen Good Omens you might be wondering what it is all about, and if it is worth watching? Let's find out…

What Is Good Omens About?

Sheen and Tennant play an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon known as Crowley. They have been around since the beginning of time but now must work together to stop Armageddon.

The problem is that they are supposed to make sure it actually happens. But they've grown to like their lives on earth and would rather not see it destroyed!

Good Omens is narrated by Frances McDormand, who plays God. And the tale starts 11 years earlier when Crowley's one job, is to ensure that a baby boy, the son of Satan, is swapped out for the baby (called Warlock) of an American diplomat.

But he unwittingly bungles the job. Satan's baby, now called Adam, ends up with a rather nice couple who lead very unassuming lives in a little English village.

That nugget of information only comes to light, when 11 years later, Warlock shows no signs of having any powers. Realising their mistake, Aziraphale and Crowley must track down the real son of Satan if they want to prevent the end of the world. Mixed into the plot is a witch who is following the prophecies of her ancestor.

In the meantime, Adam is coming into his powers. The four horsemen of the apocalypse have been summoned and the countdown to Armageddon has begun.

Good Omens Official Trailer

Is Good Omens Worth Watching?

Good Omens is exactly how you would envision a Terry Pratchett novel coming to life.

It is quirky, offbeat and brilliantly witty. The seriousness with which Beelzebub (Anna Maxwell Martin) and the Angel Gabriel (John Hamm) regard the task is in stark contrast to the incompetence of Sheen and Tennant.

The show received generally positive reviews from both critics and audiences loved it. With its clever humour, strong performances by the cast, and its faithful adaptation of the source material, it really is a superb show.

Fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's work, as well as those who enjoy fantasy and comedy genres, are likely to appreciate everything that Good Omens has to offer.

Overall what you get is a comedic and absurd tale about humanity and good versus evil. I genuinely can't imagine that it could have done any better.

Good Omens Season 2

To say the announcement of a season 2 was a surprise would be understating it. After all, there only was ever one book, released in 1990, even before co-author Terry Pratchett’s untimely death in 2015.

Therefore Neil Gaiman’s announcement in 2021 that the pair had had detailed discussions of a follow up, and that a second season was in production, was a heavenly delight for this hellish IP.

Disingenuously, the season 2 we actually get isn’t it. Gaiman has said that it didn’t feel right to launch straight into that plot, which is reserved for a (as yet not commissioned) season 3.

Instead our return to the angelic Aziraphale and demonic Crowley for six episodes are unmistakably a bridge for something else.

The archangel Gabriel (John Hamm) arrives at Aziraphale’s book shop claiming to have no memory of who he is, and both Heaven and Hell are desperate to find him.

This is stretched out considerably. There is a laboured plot about manufacturing a ‘falling in love’ moment for humans, and otherwise three episodes have long internal ‘minisodes’ that variably fill out the time such as: Aziraphale and Crawley’s role in the story of Job; the morals of immoral work in Victorian London; and spy zombies hoping to catch our duo in cahoots.

The officious angels of Heaven and dithering demons of Hell are generally a distraction from the show’s real draw.

Fans of the first season will love the continuation of the magical ingredient that makes it sparkle: the bickering but warm relationship between its leads.

These scenes are stand out the best, not least the way their eon’s long companionship is tested and changed by the season’s events.

Season 3 is very much set up by how we leave them in episode six. Let’s hope Good Omens returns with heavenly purpose.

The Controversy

According to reports, an online petition gained over 20,000 signatures from individuals who urged Netflix to cancel Good Omens.

Hilariously, the petitioners didn't even realise that the show is not on Netflix, it is on Amazon Prime and had already been released in its entirety.

The whole debacle was initiated as part of a campaign by a US religious organisation that expressed criticism towards the series for its portrayal of satanism, the devil, and the decision to use a female voice for the character of God.

Clearly it didn't work. Season 2 was released and fans were excited as ever to watch it!

Cast Of Good Omens

Michael Sheen as Aziraphale, an angel who has been stationed on Earth for centuries. He develops a close friendship with Crowley and is reluctant to see the apocalypse occur.

David Tennant as Crowley, a demon who has also been on Earth for centuries.

Jon Hamm as Gabriel, an archangel and leader of the forces of Heaven. He is determined to bring about the end of the world.

Adria Arjona as Anathema Device, a descendant of the witch Agnes Nutter, who possesses a book of prophecies. She joins forces with Aziraphale and Crowley to prevent the apocalypse.

Jack Whitehall as Newton Pulsifer, a bumbling and well-meaning but somewhat inept descendant of Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell.

Miranda Richardson as Madame Tracy, a psychic medium and friend of Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell.

Michael McKean as Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell, a member of the Witchfinder Army who investigates supernatural occurrences.

Anna Maxwell Martin as Beelzebub, a powerful demon and one of the leaders of Hell.