The Almighty Johnsons

Production

Funding for the first series was approved by NZ On Air in December 2009, a second series was approved in June 2011 and a third series was approved on 15 October 2012.

In December 2012, it was announced series three was in pre-production.

Filming

Series two began filming in October 2011 and concluded in February 2012.

Series three began filming on 14 January 2013 and concluded on 9 May 2013.

Initial cancellation and fan campaign

On 6 September 2012, various members of the cast reported via Twitter that the show would not be renewed for a third series. This was confirmed by co-creator, James Griffin. Fan protests were launched immediately both in New Zealand and internationally, taking the form of an online petition, written complaints to TV3, and a 'send a twig to TV3' campaign (representing Yggdrasil, the mythical 'tree of life' from the show).

Second cancellation

The show was cancelled in December 2013 by a radio announcement on Radio New Zealand by TV3 programming boss Mark Caulton.

Plot

The show follows a student named Axl Johnson, who on his 21st birthday discovers his family members are reincarnated Norse gods. The problem is, they do not have full control of their powers and it is up to Axl (the reincarnation of Odin) to restore them and ensure the family's survival by finding the reincarnation of Odin's wife, Frigg. Matters are complicated by the presence of three Norse goddesses who are trying to find Frigg before the Johnsons do to prevent the restoration of the gods' powers (which would vault them above the goddesses), as well as an antagonistic reincarnation of Norse god Loki, and the appearance of a Māori deity pantheon toward the end of the second series.

Cast and characters

This section contains spoilers!

Reception

Series 1 holds a "100% fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes, critics giving 8 out of 10 points, and 88% from audiences.

Home video releases

The first series of The Almighty Johnsons has been released in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. The second series has been released in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The third series has only been released in New Zealand. A complete series 1-3 box set is scheduled for a U.S. release on April 28, 2015.

Broadcast

Series one premiered in Australia on Network Ten on 19 December 2011, airing at 10:30 p.m. on Mondays, and on Sci Fi Channel on 26 February 2012, airing at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays, in Canada on SPACE on 23 July 2012, airing at 9:00 p.m. on Mondays, and in the United Kingdom on Syfy on 2 February 2012, airing at 10:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

Series two premiered in Australia on Network Ten on 21 December 2012, airing at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, and on SF on 22 March 2013, airing at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, in Canada on SPACE on 14 January 2013, airing at 10:00 p.m. on Mondays, and in the United Kingdom on Syfy on 17 September 2012, airing at 10:00 p.m. on Mondays.

Series three premiered in Canada on SPACE on 4 July 2013, at 9:00 p.m., the same day as the New Zealand premiere, and in the United Kingdom on Syfy on 28 August 2013, airing at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Series one began broadcasting in the United States on 11 July 2014 on Syfy, with series two set to follow. According to the review site Common Sense Media, the Syfy broadcasts are somewhat censored, with nudity blurred out.

In the Republic of Ireland the show airs on TG4.

The complete series is available on Netflix in some countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia & the United Kingdom.