Neil Gaiman adaptations are all over TV and streaming platforms now—on the heels of the first season of American Gods, the author wrote the short anthology series Likely Stories, which is based on some of his lesser known stories, for Shutter. Amazon also seized on the horror-fantasy momentum, ordering an adaptation of Gaiman’s Good Omens earlier this year.
The series, based on Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s horror-fantasy novel, is among the more exciting projects being developed by the retail giant’s streaming arm. Its apocalyptic setting might not be as fresh as it was when the book was first published in 1990, but the six-part series has already attracted a great cast: David Tennant and Michael Sheen are set to play the demon Crowley and angel Aziraphale, respectively. This unlikely team has joined forces to prevent the end of the world, and track down a misidentified Antichrist. (Why, yes, it is a comedy.)
And in more news that augurs well for the series, Amazon has announced Jon Hamm will play the archangel Gabriel. The character has a “fleeting” presence in the book, but just like Mad Sweeney got a beefed-up storyline in his American Gods adaptation, Gaiman plans to flesh out the leader of the angels. The writer-producer describes Gabriel as “everything that Aziraphale isn’t: he’s tall, good-looking, charismatic and impeccably dressed.” This applies to several Hamm characters, of course, but this time around, he gets to hang out in heaven.
Douglas Mackinnon, who won an Emmy for his work on Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, will direct and executive produce alongside Gaiman. Good Omens is being produced by Amazon Prime Video and BBC Two; it’s set to premiere in 2019.