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", which will premiere in 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 will take place in a post-nuclear apocalyptic setting.
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. In early January, TBS quietly postponed the season premiere to a date yet to be announced later in 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.
Delay of season 4.
The first episode of "End Times" was released on HBO Max in some countries on January 16, 2023. However, the episode did not air on TBS in the U.S. that week as previously scheduled, and was removed from HBO Max two days later, with the remainder of the season delayed indefinitely. According to a spokesperson for TBS, "Miracle Workers" was “one of the impacted series” in a January scheduling adjustment. The network said the scheduling shift would allow TBS to “better support the series later in the year.”
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.
Accolade.
Radcliffe was nominated for Choice Comedy TV Actor for his work on the series at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards.