Praise prime time Gritty comic book series ‘Preacher’ returns to AMC
There is no such thing as typical television anymore. While traditional dramas and sitcoms are still key landmarks on the primetime landscape, the rise of cable giants has produced TV series that push boundaries in ways network shows cannot.
One of those boundary-pushing series is AMC’s “Preacher,” and it returns with a two-night event beginning Sunday, June 25, and continuing Monday, June 26, on AMC. Dominic Cooper (“Captain America: The First Avenger,” 2011) stars as West Texas preacher Jesse Custer, who’s on a mission to find God — literally — in the drama, which has garnered a reputation for its stunning visuals, offbeat comedy and thrilling horror.
Based on the ‘90s DC Vergito comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, “Preacher” was created by Seth Rogen (“Knocked Up,” 2007), Sam Catlin (“Breaking Bad”) and Evan Goldberg (“Superbad,” 2007), and picked up by AMC in September 2015. Its 10-episode first season premiered in May 2016 and proved so popular that an expanded 13-episode second season was announced before the end of June that year.
AMC executive Charlie Collier had high praise for the series when the renewal was announced: “What Sam, Seth, Evan and the entire creative team have achieved in bringing Garth Ennis’ graphic novel to the screen is extraordinary,” Collier said. “We look forward to more time with these unforgettable characters, be it in heaven, hell, Texas or beyond.”
In the series, a disillusioned Custer has been possessed by a mysterious entity known as Genesis, which gives him the power to compel others to do exactly what he wants. Known as “the Word of God,” the power forces listeners to obey Custer’s commands, so long as they can hear and understand them. Gilgun (“Misfits”). Ian Colletti Armed with the Word and deadly (“Jimmy,” 2013) also returns as hand-to-hand combat skills Eugene Root, a young man with thanks to his sordid and violent a disfigured face. Throughout past, the preacher sets out to season 1, and presumably season find God and make him answer 2, Custer and his friends for his actions. The entity Genesis must elude a bounty hunter with is apparently the product of god-like powers known as The a union between an angel and Saint of Killers (Graham McTavish, a demon, giving it elements of “Outlander”). both good and evil. Trailers for season 2 have fans
This season, “Preacher” follows excited about catching a glimpse Custer as he embarks on of Herr Starr, a villainous an epic road trip with his allies, character from the comics who who include Tulip O’Hare, works for The Grail, a sinister played by Academy Award organization out to get Custer. nominee Ruth Negga (“Loving,” However, producers have been 2016). A fan favorite, Tulip keeping mum about who will is Custer’s gun-toting, highly play this season’s big bad. With capable ex-girlfriend. Custer’s a large portion of the regular best friend is a charismatic Irish cast wiped out by the end of vampire named Cassidy, portrayed last season thanks to a massive by English actor Joseph explosion that destroyed Annville, Texas, there are several new cast members hopping on board for season 2.
The general consensus among fans and critics is that actor Pip Torrens (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” 2015) will play Herr Starr, but nothing official has been released to confirm the casting. Other new regular cast members include “Game of Thrones” alum Noah Taylor and Julie Ann Emery (“Fargo”). Also, Malcolm Barrett (“Timeless”), Ronald Guttman (“The Hunt for Red October,” 1990) and Justin Prentice (“13 Reasons Why”) have landed recurring roles in season 2.
As with other comic book adaptations, “Preacher” has fans wondering whether the TV show will follow the source material or deviate from it as other series such as “The Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones” have done. As the group ventures further afield this season, it seems as if the show is about to take a cue from the comics, which were known for hopping around from place to place as Custer searched for God. This season whisks viewers to New Orleans and even Sin City as Custer continues his quest. He and his friends end up entangled in a battle spanning heaven, hell and many points in between.
New locations have the potential to add even more thrills to a program that’s already doing well. More than two million viewers tuned in to the pilot, and the drama held fairly steady throughout its first season. AMC’s latest comic book adaptation was among the top cable dramas of 2016 — part of a list that included ratings juggernauts “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead.”
Season 1 proved popular enough to spawn “Talking Preacher,” a live after-show hosted by Chris Hardwick, in which guests discuss the night’s episode. Viewers can tune into “Talking Preacher” immediately following each new episode.