Fans often unfairly boil down the long and illustrious careers of beloved performers to their most famous roles. David Tennant is a great example. He first put on the suit and sneakers as the tenth Doctor in 2005, and it's still the first role most viewers associate him with. From gripping police procedurals to charming children's shows, Tennant has delivered spectacular performances in varied projects. His work as Crowley in Prime Video's Good Omens stands among his best.
Good Omens occupies a strange realm of popularity. It isn't a sensation on the level of The Boys, but it has a devoted fanbase. The adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's excellent 1990 novel found die-hard supporters with more love for the characters than the story. The twin icons of the series are Michael Sheen's angel Aziraphale and David Tennant's demon Crowley.
Good Omens Season 2 Review
This season of Neil Gaiman's adaptation of his and Terry Pratchett's classic novel brings its central duo into a supernatural mystery.
David Tennant's Crowley on Good Omens, explained
David Tennant stars as Crowley in Good Omens. He and Michael Sheen's Aziraphale are the main point-of-view characters in the series. Their relationship, a sort of ages-old friendship that occasionally melts away into forbidden love, is most fans' favorite element. The massive ensemble cast, packing in varied humans and beings from across Heaven and Hell, folds around them to allow the leading duo to save the day. The first season follows Aziraphale and Crowley as they work under the noses of their overseers to prevent the biblical apocalypse. Tennant falls into the role flawlessly, but he wasn't Neil Gaiman's first choice. Gaiman briefly considered casting Michael Sheen as Crowley before shifting him to the angel in the relationship. During that time, he had Hugh Grant in mind for Aziraphale. He once responded to a fan on Tumblr, stating:
I remember spending a lot of time pondering who Aziraphale could be back when Crowley was going to be Michael, and I think Hugh Grant was a leading contender in my head, but then somewhere in the middle of writing episode 3 Crowley became David Tennant and Michael Sheen became Aziraphale and once that had been decided it couldn’t have been anyone else.
Crowley is a demon, a fallen angel cast out of Heaven for sins God couldn't abide. The series explains that his crime was asking too many questions. Crowley was a high-ranking member of the forces of Heaven. A season 2 episode depicts him designing a nebula cluster he's very proud of. When someone reminds him how insignificant it will be, he demands to know why God plans to cause the end of days so soon after making the Earth. Questions like that send Crowley to Hell. Crowley is sardonic and irritable but perfectly friendly by demonic standards. He's required to cause evil, but his methods rely on minor inconveniences rather than large gestures. He generally objects to the death of innocents. Crowley has little patience for humans, but he likes the things they make. As a demon, he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, but he also hid Job's kids rather than killing them. He's a complicated figure who can't be boiled down to his species. His imagination and his relationship with Aziraphale make him special.
Crowley's Good Omens season 2 arc, explained
Good Omens season 2 is less focused than its predecessor. The first season brought disparate forces together to stop the end of the world. It was a massive ensemble story, but every piece of the puzzle focused on the same event. Season 2 was written as a bridge between the adaptation of the original novel and the on-screen realization of Neil Gaiman's proposed sequel. Subsequently, it spends most of its time in the past. Fans see Aziraphale and Crowley's relationship bloom across the ages, from the beginning of time to the modern day. Their unusual bond grows alongside a B-story about the archangel Gabriel losing his memories. When his identity returns to him, he explains that he fled Heaven with his true love, the demon Beelzebub. This touching story, along with the guidance of several questionable sources, pushes Crowley to confess his love for Aziraphale. They share a kiss, finally moving their friendship into a romantic relationship after millennia. Unfortunately, Aziraphale turns him down to accept Gabriel's position and return to Heaven. Crowley is heartbroken.
Crowley is an intensely likable character, partially thanks to David Tennant's unstoppable charisma. Good Omens needs a third season to finish its story. If Amazon robs them of that chance, Crowley will end his tale of unrequited love in the worst imaginable place. The story of Aziraphale and Crowley has become beloved across mediums. Millions of fans want to see how the demon and angel conclude their friendship/romance that spanned the ages. Good Omens introduced the world to one of David Tennant's finest characters. Crowley might be low now, but the prospective next season could finally give his story the ending it needs.