Neil Gaiman defends casting Peter Davison and Ty Tennant in Good Omens

Responding on Tumblr, Gaiman, who wrote Good Omens with Terry Pratchett, explained that Davison was offered the role, while Ty auditioned.

He said: "I thought we were lucky to get Peter Davidson [sic] in Good Omens 2. (He didn’t audition. We offered him the part, as I’ve been a fan of his since 1978, and All Creatures Great and Small. He crushes it, and is heartbreaking, funny, and still somehow the moral compass of the episode he’s in.)

"Ty Tennant auditioned, along with a number of other actors, and got the part because he did it best. (I didn’t know who his family was when we cast him. I just liked the audition tape.)"

Gaiman pointed out that Tennant's mother-in-law, Sandra Dickinson, is also an actress, and was cast in The Sandman audiobook.

He went on to reference his recent revelation that actresses Georgia Tennant and Anna Lundberg, Tennant and Sheen's respective partners, were almost cast in season 2.

Gaiman added: "Anyway, I’m sorry you’re worried about Peter and Ty’s performances, although I promise you have nothing to worry about, and I’m sorry that you worry that our possibly casting Georgia and Anna in a hypothetical and not-yet actually a real thing Season 3 might make people think of Staged and make them not able to enjoy Good Omens any longer.

"(Had I known people were this easily shaken I wouldn’t have appeared in Staged either, in case my name at the front of Good Omens shattered the fragile illusion and revealed to people that the David Tennant and Michael Sheen who play Crowley and Aziraphale are actors.)."

He finished his answer by reflecting on the trolling he received when it was announced that Tennant and Sheen had been cast as Crowley and Aziraphale - and how quickly that stopped when people saw their performances.

Season 2 of Good Omens is set for release in July, and will pick up with our favourite angel and demon after they faced what was almost the end of the world in season 1.

Many cast members will return - but we're also set to see some stellar new faces join the fold.

Good Omens season 2 will land on Prime Video on 28th July 2023 - try Amazon Prime Video for free for 30 days. Plus, read our guides to the best Amazon Prime series and the best movies on Amazon Prime.

Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Fantasy hub for more news and features.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.