Simon Rich (An American Pickle, The Simpsons), the creator of the TBS comedy Miracle Workers, will not return as the executive producer for the show’s upcoming third season, as reported by Variety. Rich’s showrunner duties have allegedly been delegated to scriptwriters Dan Mirk (Katie: A Lady, Future Man) and Robert Padnick (Great News, The Office), Variety reports. Mirk and Padnick also served as writers on Rich’s earlier series, Man Seeking Woman on FXX.
The first two seasons were adapted from works of fiction Rich had written previously. Season one was based on his 2012 novel What in God’s Name and the second season, set in England during the Dark Ages, was based off short story entitled “Revolution,” according to Awards Daily. The third season is allegedly set in the United States in the nineteenth century, when the doctrine of the day was Manifest Destiny, Variety reports. Principal cast member Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Horns) will reportedly play local preacher leading a wagon train along the Oregon Trail, according to Variety. Other Miracle Workers series regulars rejoining Radcliffe for season three include Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers, Janet King), Karan Soni (Deadpool, Corporate Animals), and Golden Globe winner Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, The King of Staten Island).
Buscemi’s involvement has helped Rich clarify the inspiration he allegedly got from watching films directed by the Coen brothers, according to Awards Daily. The duo’s films Fargo, The Big Lebowski and Barton Fink are among those in their catalog which feature Buscemi in supporting roles. During recent remotely conducted panel with Variety, Rich spoke about how the Coens’ relationship with their actors informed the anthology structure of Miracle Workers: “They switch genres year in, year out, and keep kind of the same… repertory cast. I always thought it would be cool to attempt something like that on TV.” The panel can be watched in its entirety below.
Rich is reportedly adapting his own supernatural short story “Stage 13” for the big screen, according to Book Pipeline. Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver) is attached to direct, as reported by Collider.
Season one of Miracle Workers is available to watch on HBO Max. Miracle Workers: Dark Ages is available for purchase on Amazon Prime for $19.99 in HD, or in standard definition for $14.99.