Preacher is one of the most audacious and inventive television series ever produced. Based on Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's comic, the series follows Jesse Custer, a small-town preacher who becomes possessed by a cosmic entity called Genesis that gives him the power to command anyone with his voice. He sets out to find God, who has abandoned Heaven.
The series is a genre-defying blend of horror, western, comedy, and theological thriller. It is violent, profane, and deeply irreverent — and also surprisingly heartfelt. The show uses its supernatural premise to explore questions of faith, free will, and the nature of good and evil, all while delivering some of the most inventive set pieces on television.
Dominic Cooper is perfectly cast as Jesse, bringing both the charisma of a preacher and the doubt of a man who has lost his faith. His companions — his ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga) and an Irish vampire named Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) — are among the best characters on television. Negga is fierce and vulnerable, while Gilgun delivers a performance of extraordinary range, making a vampire who is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
The supporting cast includes memorable characters: the Saint of Killers, an unstoppable gunslinger from the Old West; Herr Starr, a bureaucrat from a secret organization trying to control Genesis; and Arseface, a young man whose face was destroyed by a failed suicide attempt. Each season raises the stakes and the weirdness, building to a conclusion that honors the source material while forging its own path.
Preacher is essential for anyone who appreciates bold, original storytelling. It's a show that takes risks and earns them.