Good Omens comes to Amazon Prime

It’s the end of the world as we know it, or at least it is on May 31, as Amazon Prime launches its six-part limited-series adaptation of Good Omens. As Armageddon bears down, it’s up to an unlikely duo to pair up and try to stop it—and all the powers of Heaven and Hell that are gearing up for battle.

Based on Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s beloved fantasy novel, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the new series is scripted for television by Gaiman himself (Stardust, American Gods, Doctor Who…if you needed a few credentials). Good Omens follows the trials and tribulations of those trying to bring about—or more accurately, stop—the apocalypse. Primarily, Aziraphale (an angel) and Crowley (a demon), who after a millennia or two on earth have become rather fond of humanity. They decide to try to intercept the Anti-Christ, who isn’t where they thought he was, and attempt to stop the pending apocalypse. 

The unlikely pair are played with pure delight by Michael Sheen (Masters of Sex) as Aziraphale and David Tennant (Doctor Who) as Crowley. They are joined by a bevy of familiar faces making up the team of humans and deities of the end days, including Jon Hamm as the Archangel Gabriel, a middle management-type, leading the forces of Heaven. Fans of the book will note this role has been significantly flushed out from the novel, as per Gaiman and Pratchett’s original plan in book’s never-finished sequel. As well as writing all six episodes, Gaiman serves as showrunner and executive producer, and the series is directed by Douglas Mackinnon.

So the key players start coming together, as prophesied in The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch—which is turning out to be alarmingly accurate indeed as far as the Final Judgment goes. Anathema Device (Adria Arjona), a witch and the last descendant of Agnes Nutter (Josie Lawrence), pairs up with Newton Pulsifer (Jack Whitehall), similarly a descendent of the witchfinder who burned Agnes Nutter, to help Crowley and Aziraphale in their attempt to thwart Armageddon. They are joined in their mission by Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell, (Michael McKean), and Madame Tracy (Miranda Richardson), a part-time psychic and courtesan. At the same time, the Four Riders of the Apocalypse gather, Atlantis rises, and in general the earth is descending into a chaos of the Book of Revelations sort. 

However, the reluctant young Antichrist, Adam Young (Sam Taylor Buck), is coming into a realization of his purpose and is not so sure he’s game, either. With his gang of tween hoodlums, they plan to deal with this themselves. Preferably before dinner. 

Other names of note lending their talents (or in some cases, voices) to Good Omens include Brian Cox, Frances McDormand, Anna Maxwell Martin, Derek Jacobi, Mark Gatiss, Nick Offerman, Steve Pemberton, David Morrissey, oh, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Just to name a few.

If you can’t wait until May 31, Amazon has released a few fun behind-the-scenes featurettes to tease audiences for what might just one of their most anticipated series in ages. 

Where to Watch Good Omens

Good Omens Is an Amazon Studios production, meaning it’s currently only available through Amazon Prime. However, that makes it free to all Amazon Prime subscribers to beginning May 31. 

If you aren’t an Amazon Prime member yet, they offer a free 30-day trial, and then subscription options include: 

• A video-only plan for $8.99 a month
• Monthly Amazon Prime rate of $12.99, including all Prime benefits
• Annual Amazon Prime rate of $119, including all Prime benefits

Episodes can be streamed on the Amazon website or watched through any device that hosts the Amazon Video app, including Roku, Apple TV, Tivo, as well as smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices, either by streaming or downloading to watch offline. 

The show will also broadcast on the BBC in the UK, following its premiere on Prime Video.