To this day, I haven’t seen a definitive adaptation of Terry Pratchett’sDiscworldseries,as the long and complex work has proven difficult to translate into movies and TV. However, one of Pratchett’s other works received a faithful screen iteration just a few years ago, and this is reason enough to revisit theDiscworlduniverse.Good Omensis based on the original novel by Pratchett, and I immediately knew that it was going to be a crossover hit with fans of genre work and newcomers to speculative fiction. Its continued success shows thatDiscworldcan get the same treatment.
Reading theDiscworldbook series in ordercan be difficult, as Pratchett’s long-running universe has 41 novels. Though this is an intimidating number for new readers, it also means that there are a plethora of stories that a screen adaptation of the beloved books could bring to life.SeeingDiscworldget the same treatment as Pratchett’s other seminal work is an exciting prospect,as he’s created many characters I would love to see onscreen. Given the same level of care and resources asGood Omens, I know that aDiscworldTV show would connect with audiences of all kinds.
Amazon’s Good Omens Makes Me Want A Successful Discworld Series Even More
Good Omens has paved the way for Discworld’s future
There have been film and television adaptations of different installments ofDiscworld, and while some, like the 2008The Color of Magic, do a decent job, I’m not satisfied with any of them. It would make sense that a sweeping fantasy series likeDiscworldwas better suited to TV. An interconnected anthology approach to the expansive storylines would be the best way to bridge the gap between Pratchett’s writing and a narrative for the screen. Since Pratchett was a writer ofGood Omens, which incorporates many of his blend of satire and fantasy,I think it’s time to revisitDiscworld.
I wouldn’t expect aDiscworldseries to ever run out of material, but a show might take some liberties with the books to update the story.
The future ofGood Omensseason 3is currently up in the air, but the first two seasons speak to the quality of the production. Though season 2 didn’t have any source material to derive its story from, asGood Omensis a standalone book,the second installment stays true to Pratchett’s vision of the world.I wouldn’t expect aDiscworldseries to ever run out of material, but a show might take some liberties with the books to update the story. As long as these changes were consistent withDiscworld’s essential themes, that would be fine with me.
Good Omens Proves Terry Pratchett’s Writing Style Can Work On-Screen
His unique blend of fantasy and humor is perfect for television
Before tacklingGood Omens,the writing and creative teams had the difficult job of translating Pratchett’s specific humorand ability to upend classic tropes. LikeGood Omens,Discworld’s opening inThe Color of Magicthrows you into the meat of the narrative, and I found it difficult to fully dive into the story because of how off-kilter the world-building is. Of course,Good Omenshad the advantage of being set on Earth instead of the titular Discworld. However, if theGood Omensshow can communicate the many rules and intersecting storylines, I know the same can be done forDiscworld.
A common issue for all screen adaptations of novels is translating the internal dialogue into external exposition, and whileGood Omensmanaged this through voice-over, it was also achieved through the cast’s performance.Michael Sheen and David Tennant make the perfect Aziraphale and Crowley,and it’s their chemistry that propels the story forward. I would expect to see actors with a clear understanding of Pratchett’s novels cast in aDiscworldseries, as their interpretation of the work is what would make or break the show.
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Why Previous Attempts At Adapting Discworld Haven’t Worked Out
Past adaptations haven’t captured the nuance in Pratchett’s writing style
Tonal balance is a key feature of Pratchett’s approach to writingand the success of adapting his work. When readingDiscworld, I find myself instantly transported into the minds of Pratchett’s characters and able to pick up on the subtleties of the story because the novels give so much context. While the visuals are important, these shouldn’t overshadow the story and its pacing. A criticism of adaptations likeThe Color of Magicis that it doesn’t move quickly and efficiently the way Pratchett wrote the book. Additionally, I think beginning with a laterDiscworldinstallment would connect better with audiences.
Terry Pratchett Abandoning Discworld’s Original Premise Saved The Fantasy Saga
The long-running and beloved Discworld series by Terry Pratchett might not have been such a success if the author hadn’t made this key change.
One of the more recent attempts at taking onDiscworld, the TV seriesThe Watch,attempted to change too much of the story without staying faithful to Pratchett’s themes. Like many others, I found the change in time and setting distracting and was continuously waiting for the show to touch upon the more serious themes found in the books, but it never did. ADiscworldTV show can’t focus solely on the fun and adventure of the books without giving equal time to the intense emotional beats. Finding this balance is what givesGood Omensits edge.
Good Omens
Cast
Based on the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens follows an angel and demon as they attempt to defy the forces of Heaven and Hell in order to avert the apocalypse. With Pratchett and Gaiman’s funny and irreverent style shining through, Good Omens stars Michael Sheen and David Tennant as Aziraphale and Crowley, with a larger cast that includes John Hamm, Francis McDormand, and Michael McKean.
