Miracle Workers (2019 TV series)

''Miracle Workers'' is an American anthology comedy television series created by Simon Rich for TBS. It is based in part on Rich's writings, with the first season being based on his 2012 novel ''What in God's Name'', while the short story "Revolution" provided the basis for the second season. The series stars an ensemble cast comprising Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Jon Bass, Karan Soni, Sasha Compère, and Lolly Adefope.

''Miracle Workers'' premiered on February 12, 2019, with its seven-episode first season. A ten-episode second season, subtitled ''Dark Ages'', premiered in January 2020. The third season, subtitled ''Oregon Trail'', premiered on July 13, 2021. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a fourth season, subtitled ''End Times'', set to premiere on January 16, 2023.

Premise

Season 1

The first season follows Craig, a low-level angel responsible for handling all of humanity's prayers, and Eliza, a recent transfer from the Department of Dirt. Their boss, God, has pretty much checked out to focus on his favorite hobbies. To prevent Earth's destruction, Craig and Eliza must achieve their most impossible miracle to date. The season is based on Rich's novel ''What in God's Name''.

Season 2

The second season is set during the Dark Ages, and is based on Rich's short story "Revolution".

Season 3

Reverend Ezekiel Brown leads his dying, famine-stricken town for a better life on the Oregon Trail, taking in notorious outlaw Benny the Teen as trailmaster.

Season 4

Season four takes place in a post-nuclear apocalyptic setting.

Cast and characters

Main

* Daniel Radcliffe as:
** Craig Bog (season 1)
** Prince Chauncley the Pretty Cool (season 2)
** Reverend Ezekiel Brown (season 3)
* Steve Buscemi as:
** God (season 1)
** Edward "Eddie" Murphy Shitshoveler (season 2)
** Benny the Teen (season 3)
* Geraldine Viswanathan as:
** Eliza Hunter (season 1)
** Alexandra "Al" Shitshoveler (season 2)
** Prudence Aberdeen (season 3)
* Karan Soni as:
** Sanjay Prince (season 1)
** Lord Chris Vexler (season 2)
** The Gunslinger (season 3)
* Jon Bass as:
** Sam (season 1)
** Michael "Mikey" Shitshoveler (season 2)
** Todd Aberdeen (season 3)
* Sasha Compère as Laura (season 1)
* Lolly Adefope as:
** Rosie (season 1)
** Maggie (season 2)

Guest

Season 1

* John Reynolds as Mason
* Angela Kinsey as Gail, an angel in the Department of Angel Resources
* Tim Meadows as Dave Shelby
* Chris Parnell as God's Dad
* Margaret Cho as God's Mom
* Tituss Burgess as God's Brother
* Ruby Matenko as God's Sister

Season 2

* Peter Serafinowicz as King Cragnoor the Heartless
* Tony Cavalero as Ted Carpenter
* Jessica Lowe as Mary Baker
* Jamie Demetriou as Town crier
* Kevin Dunn as Bert Shitshoveler
* Fred Armisen as Percival Forthwind
* Kerri Kenney-Silver as Lila
* Dee Ahluwalia as Lucas
* Jack Mosedale as Wesley Pervert
* Sinead Phelps as Trish
* Greta Lee as Princess Vicki

Season 3

* Lamont Thompson as Farmer John
* Tammy Dahlstrom as Martha
* River Drosche as Young Levi
* Shay Mitchell as Purple
* Jordan Firstman as Kaya
* Mary Anne McGarry as Granny McGill
* Quinta Brunson as Trig
* Carl Tart as Lionel
* Tim Meadows as Jedidiah Noonan
* Erin Darke as Phaedra
* Jessica Lowe as Branchwater tavern host
* Ron Funches as Dirty Dick Bob
* Karamo Brown as American Patriot
* Marisa Quintanilla as Sheila
* Bobby Moynihan as Governor Lane
* Paul F. Tompkins as Snake Oil Salesman

Season 4

Episodes

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2: ''Dark Ages'' (2020)

Season 3: ''Oregon Trail'' (2021)

Season 4: ''End Times''

Production

Development

On May 17, 2017, TBS announced that it had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of seven episodes. The series was created by Simon Rich and based on his novel ''What in God's Name''. Executive producers were expected to include Rich, Lorne Michaels, Andrew Singer, Daniel Radcliffe, and Owen Wilson. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Broadway Video and Studio T. On October 19, 2017, it was announced that Wilson would no longer be serving as an executive producer and would be replaced with Steve Buscemi.

On May 15, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season. On November 20, 2019, it was announced that the second season, titled ''Miracle Workers: Dark Ages'', would premiere on January 28, 2020. On August 6, 2020, the series was renewed for a third season that will focus on the Wild West and Oregon Trail. On May 19, 2021, it was announced that the third season, titled ''Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail'', would premiere on July 13, 2021. On November 3, 2021, TBS renewed the series for a fourth season. On October 27, 2022, it was announced that the fourth season, titled ''End Times'', would premiere on January 16, 2023.

Casting

Alongside the initial series order announcement, it was confirmed that Daniel Radcliffe and Owen Wilson would star in the series. On October 19, 2017, it was announced Steve Buscemi had replaced Wilson in the role of God after the latter had decided to vacate the part. In November 2017, ''Deadline Hollywood'' and '' Variety'' reported that Geraldine Viswanathan, Jon Bass, Karan Soni, and Sasha Compère had been cast in series regular roles. On March 25, 2018, it was announced that Lolly Adefope had joined the cast in a main role. On May 27, 2021, Quinta Brunson joined in recurring role for the third season.

Filming

Principal photography for the first season took place in December 2017 and January 2018 in and around Atlanta, Georgia. Filming took place in Norcross, Georgia, on December 29, 2017, and in Piedmont Park on January 16, 2018.

Release

On December 4, 2018, TBS announced that the series would premiere on February 12, 2019. On February 8, 2019, TBS released the first episode of the series on its official YouTube channel. In Australia, the series has same day release on the streaming service Stan as a Stan Exclusive.

Marketing

On December 5, 2018, TBS released a teaser trailer for the series. On December 19, 2018, the official full length trailer was released.

Premiere

On January 26, 2019, the series held a screening of the pilot episode during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Those in attendance included Daniel Radcliffe, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, and Simon Rich.

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 74% based on reviews from 39 critics, with an average rating of 6.26/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "More charming than clever, ''Miracle Workers'' functions as a palatable showcase of Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi's quirky star power." On Metacritic it has a score of 61 out of 100 based on reviews from 19 critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has an approval rating of 78% based on reviews from 9 critics, with an average rating of 5.60/10.

Ratings

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2 (2020)

Season 3 (2021)

Accolade

Radcliffe was nominated for Choice Comedy TV Actor for his work on the series at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards.

See also

* List of films about angels

Notes

References

External links

* on TBS
*

{{Authority control

2010s American workplace comedy television series
2020s American workplace comedy television series
2019 American television series debuts
2010s American anthology television series
2020s American anthology television series
Angels in television
English-language television shows
Fiction about God
Religious comedy television series
TBS (American TV channel) original programming
Television shows based on American novels
Television series set in the Middle Ages
Television series by Broadway Video
Television series by Studio T
Works by Jeff Loveness
Television series created by Simon Rich
Adaptations of works by Simon Rich