Mythic Quest (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American comedy television series

Mythic Quest
Season 1 title card
Also known as Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet (season 1)
Genre Comedy
Created by Charlie Day Megan Ganz Rob McElhenney
Starring Rob McElhenney Ashly Burch Jessie Ennis Imani Hakim David Hornsby Charlotte Nicdao Danny Pudi F. Murray Abraham Naomi Ekperigin
Composer Takeshi Furukawa
Country of origin United States
Original language English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 30
Production
Executive producers Charlie Day Megan Ganz David Hornsby Rob McElhenney David Gordon Green Nicholas Frenkel Michael Rotenberg Jason Altman Danielle Kreinik Gérard Guillemot
Producers Chris Smirnoff Jeff Luini
Cinematography Mike Berlucchi
Editors Trevor Penna Josh Drisko Steve Welch
Running time 22–37 minutes
Production companies RCG Productions 3 Arts Entertainment Ubisoft Film & Television Lionsgate Television
Original release
Network Apple TV+
Release February 7, 2020 (2020-02-07) –present

Mythic Quest (known as Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet for its first season) is an American comedy television series created by Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney for Apple TV+. The series premiered on February 7, 2020, and follows a fictional video game studio that produces a popular MMORPG called Mythic Quest.

Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season on January 18, 2020, ahead of its first season premiere.[1] A special episode, "Quarantine", was released on May 22, 2020, and a second special episode, "Everlight", was released on April 16, 2021, ahead of the season two premiere.[2][3] The second season premiered on May 7, 2021.[4][5] In October 2021, the series was renewed for a third and fourth season.[6] The third season premiered on November 11, 2022.[7]

The series follows a fictional video game studio that produces Mythic Quest, a popular MMORPG, run by the game's creator and creative director Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney). At the start of the series, the studio is about to release a major expansion pack to the game, Raven's Banquet. Grimm argues with lead engineer, Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao); head of monetization Brad Bakshi (Danny Pudi); and head writer C.W. Longbottom (F. Murray Abraham).[8]

Cast and characters

[edit]

  1. ^ a b Johnson and Milioti are credited as main cast members for the single episode in which they appear.

Season 1: Raven's Banquet (2020)

[edit]

On August 9, 2018, it was announced that Apple had given a series order to a new half-hour comedy series written by Rob McElhenney, Megan Ganz, and Charlie Day, all of whom also serve as executive producers alongside Michael Rotenberg, Nicholas Frenkel, Gérard Guillemot, Jason Altman, and Danielle Kreinik. Production companies involved with the series consist of RCG Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Ubisoft Film & Television.[12][13][14] On January 18, 2020, it was announced that Apple had renewed the series for a second season, ahead of its season 1 premiere.[1] In February 2021, it was revealed that the second season would premiere on Apple TV+ on May 7, 2021.[4]

Ubisoft, a large video game publisher, assisted with development of the series. McElhenney said the concept of the show resulted from a discussion Ubisoft had with him about producing a television show around video games. McElhenney had been invited to Ubisoft Montreal to discuss the project, and though he was initially hesitant, as he toured the studio, he saw the potential vision for the show. Since then, Ubisoft has assisted in designing the video game characters and game world, as well as providing other art assets for the show. Ubisoft also helped the writers with details of video game development to stay authentic to industry approaches.[15] On October 21, 2021, Apple renewed the series for a third and fourth season.[6]

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that Rob McElhenney would star in the series.[12] On February 1, 2019, it was announced that F. Murray Abraham, Imani Hakim, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Charlotte Nicdao and Jessie Ennis had joined the cast of the series.[16] Anthony Hopkins was cast as the narrator in the special "Everlight" in April 2021.[17] Also in April, alongside the season two trailer release, Apple announced that Humphrey Ker, Chris Naoki Lee, and Jonathan Wiggs were part of the season two cast, with Snoop Dogg and Derek Waters guest starring.[5] In April 2022, it was announced that F. Murray Abraham had exited the series and would not return for the third season.[18] It was then reported in April 2023 that the reasons for Abraham's departure was after he allegedly committed acts of sexual misconduct on the show's set.[19] In July 2022, it was revealed that Joe Manganiello would appear in season three.[20]

In March 2019, it was reported by The New York Times that filming of season one had concluded.[21] The special, titled Mythic Quest: Quarantine, was written, shot, and edited in just three weeks, all remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, using products supplied by Apple, such as iPhones.[22] On November 11, 2020, Deadline Hollywood reported that the second season suspended production after positive COVID-19 tests of production team members.[23] In December 2020, it was further reported that while Rob McElhenney claimed "to date there remains ZERO evidence of any transmission at work", at least 12 members of the production staff that worked in close contact with one another had contracted COVID-19, marking the second cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to the Mythic Quest production, and prompting another production suspension.[24]

During a Mythic Quest panel at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour in February 2021, McElhenney stated that he "did not want to be known as the person who got F. Murray Abraham very, very ill", elaborating that Abraham's character was continuing to work remotely for the first few episodes, and did not actually shoot in person until episode seven of the second season, where COVID testing occurred "as many times as five days a week," and Abraham's scenes only included "very small amounts of people on camera".[25] In March 2021, Variety reported that a total of 26 crew members of Mythic Quest came down with COVID-19, making it "the worst outbreak of any show in Los Angeles".[26]

Season four started production in March 2024, after having been delayed because of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike[27] and wrapped on May 4, 2024.[28]

The first season consisting of nine episodes was released on February 7, 2020. A special episode ("Quarantine") focusing on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was released on May 22, 2020. A second special ("Everlight") was released on April 16, 2021, prior to the second season premiere. The second season premiered on May 7, 2021, and was released with weekly episodes.[4]

On June 10, 2019, a trailer for the series was presented by McElhenney at Ubisoft's E3 2019 press conference, where he announced that Mythic Quest would premiere in the fall of 2019.[29] On December 18, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on February 7, 2020.[30]

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90% approval rating, based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "While it relies too heavily on the workplace comedy formula, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet is nonetheless hilarious and stands out for exploring the gaming industry with intelligence, thoughtfulness, and sincerity."[31] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 73 out of 100 based on reviews from 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[32]

The second season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 100% based on 32 reviews with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Smartly written, sharply performed, and sentimental without losing its sense of humor, Mythic Quest's stellar second season solidifies its place as one of TV's best workplace comedies."[33] On Metacritic, it has a score of 73 out of 100 based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[34]

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 95% based on 21 reviews with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The core characters have gone their separate ways but Mythic Quest remains thematically cohesive as an acidic sendup of the gaming industry that never compromises its essence as a warm-hearted workplace comedy."[35]

The series was recognized with The ReFrame Stamp for hiring people of underrepresented gender identities, and of color.[42]

Inspired by the short story mentioned in the episode "Backstory!", Tears of the Anaren was released in June 2021 on Apple Books as an ebook and an audiobook, which is narrated by C.W. Longbottom (F. Murray Abraham) and Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney).[43]

In December 2022, Apple TV+ ordered Mere Mortals, an eight-episode companion series created and written by Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney. The series will feature entirely new characters and focus on the lives of employees, players and fans of the game Mythic Quest. The series has been compared to the stand-alone episodes "A Dark Quiet Death" and "Backstory!".[44] The series has been renamed to Side Quest.[45]

  1. ^ a b Turchiano, Danielle (January 19, 2020). "Apple TV Plus Renews 'Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet' Ahead of Series Premiere". Variety. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  2. ^ Petski, Denise (May 15, 2020). "'Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet': Apple Comedy Sets Return With Special Quarantine Episode". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  3. ^ Lane, Carly (April 6, 2021). "A Surprise 'Mythic Quest' Bonus Episode Is Dropping Next Week Ahead of Season 2 Premiere". Collider. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Sneider, Jeff (February 19, 2021). "'Mythic Quest' Unveils Season 2 Release Date and a Poppylicious Trailer". Collider. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Trailer for Critically Acclaimed Workplace Comedy, "Mythic Quest" Season Two" (Press release). Apple. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  6. ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (October 21, 2021). "'Mythic Quest' Renewed For Seasons 3 & 4 By Apple TV+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  7. ^ King, Aidan (September 26, 2022). "'Mythic Quest' Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Apple TV+". Collider. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Rivera, David (February 7, 2020). "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet is a comedy surprise you can't miss". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  9. ^ "Watch Mythic Quest". Apple TV+. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. ^ "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Shows A-Z - Mythic Quest on Apple TV+". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 9, 2018). "Rob McElhenney & Charlie Day Comedy Lands Straight-To-Series Order At Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Otterson, Joe (August 9, 2018). "Apple Orders Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney Comedy Straight to Series". Variety. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 9, 2018). "Rob McElhenney-Charlie Day Comedy Scores Apple Series Order". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  15. ^ Prudom, Laura (February 3, 2020). "Rob McElhenney Explains How Apple's Mythic Quest Will Stay 'Authentic' to the Game Industry". IGN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  16. ^ Petski, Denise (February 1, 2019). "F. Murray Abraham, Imani Hakim, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi Among 7 Cast In Rob McElhenney & Charlie Day's Apple Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  17. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (April 16, 2021). "How 'Mythic Quest' Booked Anthony Hopkins for 'Everlight' Special Episode". Variety. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  18. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 19, 2022). "F. Murray Abraham Exits Apple TV+'s 'Mythic Quest'; Will Not Return For Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  19. ^ Roundtree, Cheyenne (April 17, 2023). "F. Murray Abraham Was Kicked Off 'Mythic Quest' for Sexual Misconduct". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Millman, Zosha (July 23, 2022). "The metaverse comes for Mythic Quest in first season 3 teaser". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  21. ^ Koblin, John (March 17, 2019). "Apple's Big Spending Plan to Challenge Netflix Takes Shape". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  22. ^ McHenry, Jackson (May 26, 2020). "How Mythic Quest Wrote, Filmed, and Edited Its Quarantine Episode in 3 Weeks". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 11, 2020). "Three Series Pause Production, A Pilot Is Delayed At CBS Studio Center Due Of Positive COVID Tests". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  24. ^ Maddaus, Gene; Low, Elaine (December 17, 2020). "'Mythic Quest' Crew Members Angered by Producer's Response to COVID Outbreak". Variety. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (February 19, 2021). "How COVID Changed F. Murray Abraham's Role in 'Mythic Quest' Season 2". Variety. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  26. ^ Maddaus, Gene (March 26, 2021). "Crew Member on Universal TV Comedy Says He Was Fired After Getting COVID". Variety. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  27. ^ Steiner, Chelsea (March 5, 2024). "Mythic Quest Season 4 Release Window, Cast, Plot, and More". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "Megan Ganz on Instagram: "Last day of filming Mythic Quest season 4. Hilda came to give notes. "More treats in act two." "Couldn't this scene take place in a pet store?""". Instagram. May 4, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  29. ^ Patches, Matt (June 10, 2019). "Always Sunny's Rob McElhenney and Ubisoft unveil gaming sitcom Mythic Quest". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  30. ^ "Apple's New Comedy Series "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" to Premiere Friday, February 7". The Futon Critic. December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  31. ^ a b "Mythic Quest: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Mythic Quest: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Mythic Quest: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Mythic Quest: Season 2". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Mythic Quest: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  36. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (March 21, 2022). "'Dune' Wins Top Honor at American Society of Cinematographers Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  37. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (February 25, 2021). "'Mank' and 'Tenet' Among 25th Annual Art Directors Guild Nominations (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  38. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 8, 2021). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  39. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 24, 2022). "MPSE Golden Reel Awards Nominations Announced". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  40. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 13, 2021). "Emmy Nominations: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' Top List; HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  41. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (July 15, 2021). "'Ted Lasso' Scores the Most 2021 TCA Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  42. ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 20, 2021). "ReFrame Gives 117 Shows Gender-Balance Seal of Approval Including 'Pose,' 'Bridgerton,' 'WandaVision,' More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  43. ^ Liptak, Andrew (June 9, 2021). "You Can Now Read Mythic Quest's Faux Nebula Award-Winning Story, Tears of the Anaren". Tor.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  44. ^ Petski, Denise (December 15, 2022). "Apple TV+ Orders 'Mythic Quest' Companion Series 'Mere Mortals'". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  45. ^ "Watch Side Quest - Apple TV+". Apple TV. Retrieved September 24, 2024.