On March 9 at SXSW, Amazon Prime Video hosted the Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate SXSW Event, a featured discussion with Good Omens showrunner, executive producer and best-selling author Neil Gaiman, joined by director and executive producer Douglas Mackinnon and stars Michael Sheen, David Tennant, and Jon Hamm. GOOD OMENS is a dark, comedic story set in modern-day Britain that centers on a fussy angel, Aziraphale (played by Sheen) and the loose-living demon, Crowley (Tennant) as they join forces to prevent the coming of the Apocalypse.
Shortly after the event began, the stage was rushed by the nuns of the Chattering Order of St. Beryl, rocking out to a unique, acapella take on Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” At the event, moderated by actress and Emmy Award-winning host Aisha Tyler, fans got the most in-depth look at the limited series to date and watched never-before-seen exclusive clips from the series, as well as a freewheeling, often hilarious Q&A.
Meanwhile nearby, some of the almost 14,000 SXSW visitors to the installment The Garden Of Earthly Delights caroused their way through angels and devils, free manicures, free head massages, food and drink, heavenly music, spinning DJ’s and a pen with the most adorable “hellhound puppies” (Great Pyrenees Siblings, and ALL were adopted!), free manicures, free head massages, food and drink. Winning – Best party so far at SXSW – and that’s saying a lot.
SOME QUOTES FROM THE PANEL:
“First and foremost as a fan of Neil, one of the things I’m most touched by with Neil’s work, and particularly this book, is with all of the fantastic elements and huge themes, it’s about people. Our flaws, our strengths, what draws us together as a species. That trust and belief in people and humanity is what brings us here. Having Neil at the center of the show, so that trusting people and ability to collaborate and positively lean into people’s flaws is what allowed us to feel included and be able to express ourselves. It was truly a collaborative and human-centered process.” – Michael Sheen
“It’s the only part I’ve ever played that when I think of the character, I don’t just think of the character. I can only think of Aziraphale with Crowley.” – Michael Sheen
“The practicalities of making this come to life just collectively and organically came together. From working with make-up, costume, Douglas, Neil, then Michael, it all came together and just made sense. The book came to life very happily, creatively and hopefully exuberantly.” – David Tennant
“When I was writing for Crowley, I was writing for David Tennant… I thought that there’s no other human who could play Crowley. So, I had to persuade the powers that be to cast David.” – Neil Gaiman
“It was a genuine collaboration. We loved it. Everyone who worked on the show – the crew, the runners, the post-production team – everyone walked away from this show thinking they worked on something special. And that’s because they loved the material.” – Douglas Mackinnon
It’s very darkly comical, but what’s exciting about the show is the dark parts are still there with this incredible brightness and razor-sharp delight.” – Aisha Tyler
The six-episode limited series coming to Amazon Prime Video on May 31 is based on the beloved satirical novel “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
