It’s been a bit quiet on the Good Omens front recently, as Neil Gaiman has been understandably busy with American Gods, but good things come to those who wait.
Variety reports that David Tennant and Michael Sheen have been cast in the two lead roles for the TV adaptation, which has been scripted by Gaiman based on the novel he wrote with Terry Pratchett.
Tennant will take the role of the demonic Crowley, while Sheen will play the angel Aziraphale in the six-part BBC-Amazon co-production.
“The show is set in 2018 on the brink of an apocalypse as humanity prepares for a final judgment. But Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a demon, aren’t enthusiastic about the end of the world, and can’t seem to find the Antichrist.”
Sheen told Variety that “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.”
Sheen has worked with Gaiman before, providing the voice of the Time Lord-devouring House in his brilliant Doctor Who episode ‘The Doctor’s Wife’. This is wonderful casting news. We can’t wait to see the pairing of Sheen and Tennant, and, good lord, we can’t wait to finally see an adaptation of Good Omens on our screens. Here’s the plot synopsis for the book, for newcomers.
“Armageddon only happens once, you know. They don’t let you go around again until you get it right.”
According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch – the world’s only totally reliable guide to the future, written in 1655, before she exploded – the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just after tea…
People have been predicting the end of the world almost from its very beginning, so it’s only natural to be sceptical when a new date is set for Judgement Day. This time though, the armies of Good and Evil really do appear to be massing. The four Bikers of the Apocalypse are hitting the road. But both the angels and demons – well, one fast-living demon and a somewhat fussy angel – would quite like the Rapture not to happen.
And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist…”
Good Omens will air in 2018 on BBC One in the UK and on Amazon in other territories. Keep up with the latest genre news with the new issue of SciFiNow.
