What is Crowley's gender in Good Omens? Explained

Modified Oct 26, 2024 04:13 GMT

David Tennant stars as Crowley in Good Omens (Image via Facebook/@Good Omens)

Good Omens, a fantasy comedy series directed by Douglas Mackinnon and created by Neil Gaiman, is based on the 1990 novel he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett. The first season premiered on Prime Video on May 31, 2019, and the second on July 28, 2023.

The series was renewed for a third and final season in December 2023, and in October 2024, it was announced that this season would conclude with a single 90-minute finale episode.

The show's official synopsis, as per Rotten Tomatoes, reads:

"This fantasy series sees fussy angel Aziraphale and loose-living demon Crowley team up to form an unlikely duo. The two have become overly fond of life on Earth, and they are forced into forming an alliance in an attempt to stop the approaching Armageddon."

It continues:

"To do that, they have to find the missing Antichrist, an 11-year-old boy who is unaware that he is meant to bring the end of days upon humanity."

The demon Crowley, played by David Tennant, is depicted as having yellow, slitted eyes and fiery, red hair in Good Omens. According to the show's creator Neil Gaiman, Crowley is gender fluid.

Understanding Crowley's gender in Good Omens

An image of Crowley from the hit series Good Omens (Image via Facebook/@Good Omens)

The showrunner, Neil Gaiman, tweeted in July 2019 that "angels and demons are sexless. They don't have genders." He also clarified that Aziraphale and Crowley are presented as males on the show, but they do not necessarily identify as such.

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Then in January 2022, Gaiman stated Crowley's gender as "Fallen Angel." In the same thread, he also said that Aziraphale's gender is "Angel (retired)."

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A year later in June 2023, a fan asked Gaiman pointedly on the author's official Tumblr account, "Can I think Crowley is gender fluid?" He responded with "You might as well. I do."

Gaiman's comment makes sense since the character has been presented as masculine, feminine, and androgynous throughout the series. Crowley was dressed as a female and sported long hair during the crucifixion of Christ. He also dressed feminine while working as a nanny and looking after Warlock, the supposed Antichrist.

But at other times, he is seen dressed as a male with a traditional suit and tie. Since the show takes place over thousands of years, Crowley's outfits are used to convey his gender fluidity.

Plot summary

In the first season of Good Omens, the angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley are tasked with ushering in the apocalypse (end of times) with the help of Antichrist. But, due to their attachment with humans and each other, they decide to prevent the impending doom by influencing Antichrist to stay neutral.

The two succeed at saving Earth and humanity by thwarting the apocalypse in the end. But, Aziraphale and Crowley pay the price for their actions and are expelled from their respective Heaven and Hell as punishment.

Season 2 of Good Omens focuses on the archangel Gabriel's mysterious memory loss, after she shows up naked at Aziraphale's bookshop. Furthermore, the good angel accepts Gabriel's old position as the supreme archangel of Heaven, and begins preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.

Crowley professes his love to Aziraphale, but gets rejected and decides to stay back on Earth while the latter ascends to Heaven.