British acting heavyweights Michael Sheen and David Tennant cast in upcoming Amazon Original comedy-horror Good Omens
August 15, 2017
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s internationally best-selling novel will be brought to life by BBC Studios for Amazon Prime members globally; the 6-part drama will launch in 2019
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London, Tuesday 15 August 2017 – Amazon today announced that multi-award-winning actors Michael Sheen, OBE (Masters of Sex, Passengers) and David Tennant (Broadchurch, Doctor Who) are to star in Good Omens, the six-part humorous fantasy drama which will launch globally on Prime Video in 2019. It will launch in the UK on Prime Video before going on to BBC Two at a later date.
The 6 x 1-hour equal parts comedy and horror series, which was greenlit in January 2017, is written by Neil Gaiman (American Gods), who will also serve as Showrunner. It is based on the well-loved and internationally bestselling novel ‘Good Omens’ by Terry Pratchett ( Hogfather) and Gaiman, and is being produced by BBC Studios, the BBC’s commercial production arm, Narrativa and The Blank Corporation, in association with BBC Worldwide.
Sheen will star as the somewhat fussy angel and rare book dealer Aziraphale, and Tennant will play his opposite number, the fast living demon Crowley, both of whom have lived amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle and of each other. So it’s really terrible news for both of them that, if Heaven and Hell have their way, the world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis has risen, tempers are flaring. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are ready to ride. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Expect that someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...
Good Omens will be brought to the screen by the highly acclaimed director Douglas Mackinnon, whose credits include Doctor Who, Outlander and the standalone Victorian episode of Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie last year.
Michael Sheen says: “I first read Good Omens as a teenager and it’s been one of my favourite stories ever since. To be part of the team entrusted with bringing it alive on screen is a bit of a dream come true to be honest. To work alongside Neil, who I think is one of the greatest storytellers of all time, is incredibly exciting. And, just like the rest of the world, I’m a huge fan of David’s so I relish trying to save it with him.”
David Tennant says: “Michael Sheen, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and directed by Douglas Mackinnon, it’s a dream team and a dream gig. I am very excited that I’ve been asked to be part of this amazing project. Bring on the Apocalypse!”
Douglas Mackinnon, Director and Executive Producer says: “Ironically, given that it is a timeless novel, the Good Omens story stretches from the beginning of time to quite near the end of time. I am honoured to be working with Neil Gaiman (and Terry Pratchett in absentia) and directing such a wonderfully prestigious project for Amazon and BBC Studios. I hope to deliver an epic parcel of fun just before Armageddon arrives instead.”
Neil Gaiman, Writer and Executive Producer says: "If you are looking for actors to play two of the best-loved characters you and Terry Pratchett ever created, then, if you are very lucky and have been very good, you will get Michael Sheen and David Tennant to bring them to life. The best Welsh actor of his generation gets to be an angel, the best Scottish actor of his, a demon. Terry and I wrote Good Omens (I like to think it's one of the funniest novels ever written about the end of the world and how we are all going to die) almost 30 years ago. It's strange that it feels more relevant now than it ever did before. I only wish that Terry could be here to see it come to life with such a fantastic team."
Roy Price, Head of Amazon Studios and Prime Video content globally, said: “We could not have hoped for two better suited actors to take the roles in this highly-anticipated show. We look forward to seeing David and Michael make these roles their own, as they are sure to do, and look forward to bringing the show to Prime members around the world in 2019.”
The Executive Producers of Good Omens are Neil Gaiman (American Gods) and Chris Sussman (Fleabag) for BBC Studios; Rob Wilkins (Choosing to Die) and Rod Brown (Going Postal) for Narrativia; and Douglas Mackinnon (Sherlock). Gaiman has adapted the novel for the screen.
Good Omens will launch globally on Prime Video in 2019. In addition to thousands of Prime Video TV episodes and movies, Prime members in the UK enjoy One-Day Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Live Events, Prime Reading, Prime Photos, early access to Lightning Deals and more— all available for a monthly membership of £7.99/month, or a best value annual membership of just £79/year. Amazon customers who are not already members can start a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime by visiting www.amazon.co.uk/prime
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Notes to Editors
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About BBC Studios BBC Studios is the BBC’s main TV production arm, producing bold, British, creative content across a range of genres and specialisms. From Planet Earth II, Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who to Stargazing Live, Horizon and Murdered by My Father, its programmes are renowned for their quality and loved by audiences in the UK and around the world. With bases all over the country, BBC Studios reflects and represents diverse voices and creative talent from across the UK. BBC Studios launched as a commercial business in April 2017, able to make programmes for other broadcasters as well as the BBC, supporting the BBC’s public service mission and generating financial returns for licence fee payers
About the authors Neil Gaiman is the award-winning author of books, graphic novels, short stories, and films for all ages, including the Oscar nominated Coraline. Some of his most notable titles include Norse Mythology, the ground-breaking Sandman comics series, The Graveyard Book (the only book ever to win both the Newbery and Carnegie medals), and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, the UK’s National Book Award 2013 Book of the Year. The film adaptation of his short story How to Talk to Girls at Parties and the second season of the critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated television adaptation of his novel American Gods will be in released in 2018. Born in the UK, he now lives in the United States.
Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which - The Colour of Magic - was published in 1983. As a young journalist, Neil Gaiman was the first person ever to interview him. Terry's books have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal, as well as being awarded a knighthood for literature. He died in March 2015.
About Narrativia Narrativia is an independent production company, launched in 2012 by Sir Terry Pratchett. The company owns and controls the exclusive multimedia and merchandising rights to all of Sir Terry's works, including his Discworld characters and creations. With more than 85 million books sold worldwide, Pratchett's writing has created a literary phenomenon across the globe and Narrativia protects and unites the management and development of this brand. The Executive Team, headed by Managing Director Rob Wilkins and BAFTA winning producer Rod Brown is based in London, where they work closely with co-director, celebrated writer Rhianna Pratchett, who all jointly own and control Narrativia. www.Narrativia.com
About BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide will distribute second-run rights internationally. BBC Worldwide is a principal commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Its vision is to build the BBC s brands, audiences, commercial returns and reputation across the world. This is achieved through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values. The business also champions British creativity globally. For more information, visit bbcworldwide.com.