Mythic Quest Explained

Alt Name:Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet (season 1)
Genre:Comedy
Composer:Takeshi Furukawa
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:30
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Cinematography:Mike Berlucchi
Runtime:22–37 minutes
Network:Apple TV+
Last Aired: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]

Premise

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

Main

Recurring

Guest

Notes

Episodes

Season 3 (2022–23)

Production

Development

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.[9] [10] [11] On January 18, 2020, it was announced that Apple had renewed the series for a second season, ahead of its season 1 premiere. In February 2021, it was revealed that the second season would premiere on Apple TV+ on May 7, 2021.

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.[12] On October 21, 2021, Apple renewed the series for a third and fourth season.[6]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that Rob McElhenney would star in the series. 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.[13] Anthony Hopkins was cast as the narrator in the special "Everlight" in April 2021.[14] 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. In April 2022, it was announced that F. Murray Abraham had exited the series and would not return for the third season.[15] 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.[16] In July 2022, it was revealed that Joe Manganiello would appear in season three.[17]

Filming

In March 2019, it was reported by The New York Times that filming of season one had concluded.[18] 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.[19] On November 11, 2020, Deadline Hollywood reported that the second season suspended production after positive COVID-19 tests of production team members.[20] 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.[21]

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".[22] 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".[23]

Season four started production in March 2024, after having been delayed because of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike[24] and wrapped on May 4, 2024.[25]

Release

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.

Marketing

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.[26] On December 18, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on February 7, 2020.[27]

Reception

Critical response

Season 1

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." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 73 out of 100 based on reviews from 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Season 2

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 Quests stellar second season solidifies its place as one of TV's best workplace comedies." On Metacritic, it has a score of 73 out of 100 based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Season 3

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."

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryNominee(s)Result
American Society of Cinematographers2021Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in an Episode of a Half-Hour Television SeriesMichael Berlucchi and Marc Carter (for "Backstory!")[28]
Art Directors Guild2021Excellence in Production Design for a Half Hour Single-Camera Television SeriesMark Worthington (for "Pilot")[29]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2021Best Streaming Series, ComedyMythic Quest[30]
Best Actor in a Streaming Series, ComedyRob McElhenney
Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, ComedyDanny Pudi
MPSE Golden Reel Awards2022Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Half Hour – Comedy or DramaMatthew E. Taylor, Pete Nichols, Matthew Wilson, Sean Heissinger, David Jobe, Elizabeth Rainey, Jody Holwadel Thomas, and Joe Deveau (for "Everlight")[31]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2021Outstanding NarratorAnthony Hopkins (for "Everlight")[32]
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and AnimationMatthew E. Taylor, Sean Heissinger, Pete Nichols, Matthew Wilson, David Jobe, Joe Deveau, Jody Holwadel Thomas and Elizabeth Rainey (for "Everlight")
TCA Awards2021Outstanding Achievement in ComedyMythic Quest[33]
Individual Achievement in ComedyCharlotte Nicdao

The series was recognized with The ReFrame Stamp for hiring people of underrepresented gender identities, and of color.[34]

Other media

Audiobook

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).[35]

Companion series

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!".[36]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Apple TV Plus Renews 'Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet' Ahead of Series Premiere . Turchiano . Danielle . January 19, 2020 . . February 4, 2020 . en . November 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033634/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/mythic-quest-ravens-banquet-season-2-renewal-apple-tv-plus-1203472080/ . live.
  2. Web site: 'Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet': Apple Comedy Sets Return With Special Quarantine Episode . Petski . Denise . May 15, 2020 . . May 15, 2020 . May 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200521191222/https://deadline.com/video/mythic-quest-ravens-banquet-apple-comedy-return-quarantine-episode/ . live.
  3. Web site: Lane . Carly . April 6, 2021 . A Surprise 'Mythic Quest' Bonus Episode Is Dropping Next Week Ahead of Season 2 Premiere . April 6, 2021 . . en-US . April 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210424143834/https://collider.com/mythic-quest-bonus-episode-everlight-release-date-apple-tv-plus/ . live .
  4. Web site: 'Mythic Quest' Unveils Season 2 Release Date and a Poppylicious Trailer . Collider . Jeff . Sneider . February 19, 2021 . February 19, 2021 . April 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210422172721/https://collider.com/mythic-quest-season-2-trailer-release-date-apple-tv-plus/ . live .
  5. April 12, 2021. Video: Apple TV+ Unveils Trailer for Critically Acclaimed Workplace Comedy, "Mythic Quest" Season Two. April 12, 2021. Apple. The Futon Critic.
  6. Web site: 'Mythic Quest' Renewed For Seasons 3 & 4 By Apple TV+. Deadline Hollywood. Alexandra. Del Rosario. October 21, 2021. October 21, 2021. December 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215183448/https://deadline.com/2021/10/mythic-quest-renewed-seasons-3-4-apple-tv-1234859872/. live.
  7. Web site: 'Mythic Quest' Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Apple TV+. Collider. Aidan. King. September 26, 2022. September 26, 2022. October 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221017025327/https://collider.com/mythic-quest-season-3-release-date-apple-tv-plus/. live.
  8. Web site: Rivera . David . Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet is a comedy surprise you can't miss . . February 7, 2020 . November 21, 2020 . November 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201129055211/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/7/21128489/mythic-quest-ravens-banquet-review-apple-tv . live .
  9. Web site: Petski . Denise . Rob McElhenney & Charlie Day Comedy Lands Straight-To-Series Order At Apple . . August 9, 2018. August 9, 2018. August 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180809224818/https://deadline.com/2018/08/rob-mcelhenney-charlie-day-comedy-straight-to-series-order-apple-1202443368/. live.
  10. Web site: Otterson . Joe . Apple Orders Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney Comedy Straight to Series . . August 9, 2018. August 9, 2018. November 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033657/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/charlie-day-rob-mcelhenney-apple-comedy-series-1202901078/. live.
  11. Web site: Goldberg . Lesley . Rob McElhenney-Charlie Day Comedy Scores Apple Series Order . . August 9, 2018 . August 9, 2018 . en . April 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210422105906/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rob-mcelhenney-charlie-day-comedy-scores-apple-series-order-1133671 . live .
  12. Web site: Rob McElhenney Explains How Apple's Mythic Quest Will Stay 'Authentic' to the Game Industry . Laura . Prudom . February 3, 2020 . February 3, 2020 . . November 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033658/https://www.ign.com/articles/mythic-quest-ravens-banquet-rob-mcelhenney-ubisoft-game-apple-tv-plus . live.
  13. Web site: Petski . Denise . F. Murray Abraham, Imani Hakim, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi Among 7 Cast In Rob McElhenney & Charlie Day's Apple Comedy Series . . February 1, 2019. February 1, 2019. November 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033645/https://deadline.com/2019/02/f-murray-abraham-david-hornsby-danny-pudi-cast-rob-mcelhenney-charlie-days-apple-comedy-series-1202547679/. live.
  14. Web site: Turchiano. Danielle. April 16, 2021. How 'Mythic Quest' Booked Anthony Hopkins for 'Everlight' Special Episode. April 16, 2021. Variety. en-US. April 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230422093733/https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/mythic-quest-everlight-rob-mcelhenney-ian-poppy-partnership-anthony-hopkins-1234950894/. live.
  15. Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . F. Murray Abraham Exits Apple TV+'s 'Mythic Quest'; Will Not Return For Season 3 . . April 19, 2022 . April 20, 2022 . April 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419031324/https://deadline.com/2022/04/f-murray-abraham-exits-mythic-quest-will-not-return-for-season-3-1235006022/ . live .
  16. Roundtree . Cheyenne . 2023-04-17 . F. Murray Abraham Was Kicked Off 'Mythic Quest' for Sexual Misconduct . 2023-04-18 . Rolling Stone . en-US . June 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230619200849/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/f-murray-abraham-sexual-misconduct-mythic-quest-fired-the-white-lotus-rob-mcelhenney-apple-tv-1234714869/ . live .
  17. Web site: Millman . Zosha . July 23, 2022 . The metaverse comes for Mythic Quest in first season 3 teaser . July 25, 2022 . Polygon . en-US . April 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419031324/https://www.polygon.com/sdcc/23205812/mythic-quest-season-3-teaser . live .
  18. News: Koblin . John . Apple's Big Spending Plan to Challenge Netflix Takes Shape . The New York Times . March 17, 2019. March 24, 2019 . en-US . 0362-4331. December 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191230072945/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/business/media/apple-content-hollywood.html. live.
  19. Web site: McHenry. Jackson. May 26, 2020. How Mythic Quest Wrote, Filmed, and Edited Its Quarantine Episode in 3 Weeks. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033647/https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/mythic-quest-quarantine-coronavirus-episode.html. November 16, 2020. September 23, 2020. Vulture.
  20. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. November 11, 2020. Three Series Pause Production, A Pilot Is Delayed At CBS Studio Center Due Of Positive COVID Tests. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033658/https://deadline.com/2020/11/3-series-pause-production-a-pilot-delayed-cbs-studio-center-positive-covid-tests-why-women-kill-call-your-mother-mythic-quest-lucy-liu-abc-pilot-1234613287/. November 16, 2020. November 11, 2020. Deadline Hollywood.
  21. Web site: Maddaus. Gene. Low. Elaine. December 17, 2020. 'Mythic Quest' Crew Members Angered by Producer's Response to COVID Outbreak. Variety. April 17, 2021. May 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230530212629/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/mythic-quest-crew-covid-outbreak-1234852119/. live.
  22. Web site: Turchiano. Danielle. February 19, 2021. How COVID Changed F. Murray Abraham's Role in 'Mythic Quest' Season 2. April 16, 2021. Variety. en-US. April 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423215547/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mythic-question-season-2-covid-safety-f-murray-abraham-1234911486/. live.
  23. Web site: Maddaus. Gene. March 26, 2021. Crew Member on Universal TV Comedy Says He Was Fired After Getting COVID. March 29, 2021. Variety. en-US. April 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423063653/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/william-pavlu-jean-smart-covid-fired-hbo-max-universal-1234939185/. live.
  24. Web site: Mythic Quest Season 4 Release Window, Cast, Plot, and More. Chelsea. Steiner. The Mary Sue. March 5, 2024. April 24, 2024. March 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240305223015/https://www.themarysue.com/mythic-quest-season-4-release-window-cast-plot-and-more/. live.
  25. Web site: 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 . July 28, 2024 . May 4, 2024.
  26. Web site: Patches . Matt . Always Sunny's Rob McElhenney and Ubisoft unveil gaming sitcom Mythic Quest . Polygon . June 10, 2019. June 26, 2019. November 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033703/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2019/6/10/18660313/always-sunnys-rob-mcelhenney-ubisoft-e3-2019-mythic-quest-trailer-apple-tv. live.
  27. Web site: Apple's New Comedy Series "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" to Premiere Friday, February 7 . . December 18, 2019 . December 19, 2019 . July 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701144858/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/12/18/apples-new-comedy-series-mythic-quest-ravens-banquet-to-premiere-friday-february-7-546012/20191218apple01/ . live .
  28. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . March 21, 2022 . 'Dune' Wins Top Honor at American Society of Cinematographers Awards . August 2, 2022 . . April 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423172019/https://variety.com/2022/artisans/awards/american-society-cinematographers-full-winners-list-2022-1235209475/ . live .
  29. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . February 25, 2021 . 'Mank' and 'Tenet' Among 25th Annual Art Directors Guild Nominations (EXCLUSIVE) . August 2, 2022 . . March 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210301025403/https://variety.com/2021/artisans/awards/art-directors-guild-nominations-mank-tenet-1234915129/ . live .
  30. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . July 8, 2021 . HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets . August 2, 2022 . . July 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210708183128/https://deadline.com/2021/07/hca-tv-awards-nominations-2021-ted-lasso-handmaids-tale-nbc-hbo-netflix-1234788064/ . live .
  31. Web site: Giardina . Carolyn . January 24, 2022 . MPSE Golden Reel Awards Nominations Announced . August 2, 2022 . . February 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211120513/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mpse-sound-editors-golden-reel-awards-2022-nominations-list-nominees-1235079893/ . live .
  32. Web site: 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 . July 13, 2021 . . July 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713153405/https://deadline.com/2021/07/2021-emmy-nominations-list-1234791599/ . live .
  33. Web site: Turchiano . Danielle . July 15, 2021 . 'Ted Lasso' Scores the Most 2021 TCA Awards Nominations . July 16, 2021 . . July 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210717153552/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/2021-tca-awards-nominations-list-ted-lasso-wandavision-1235020447/ . live .
  34. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . July 20, 2021 . ReFrame Gives 117 Shows Gender-Balance Seal of Approval Including 'Pose,' 'Bridgerton,' 'WandaVision,' More . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210720153259/https://deadline.com/2021/07/reframe-tv-stamp-recipients-wandavision-bridgerton-lovecraft-country-pose-1234796290/ . July 20, 2021 . July 21, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  35. Web site: You Can Now Read Mythic Quest's Faux Nebula Award-Winning Story, Tears of the Anaren. Liptak. Andrew. Tor.com. June 9, 2021. June 11, 2021. April 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423063650/https://www.tor.com/2021/06/09/mythic-quest-apple-backstory-cw-longbottom-tears-of-the-anaren-free-story-read/. live.
  36. Web site: Apple TV+ Orders 'Mythic Quest' Companion Series 'Mere Mortals' . Deadline . Denise . Petski . December 15, 2022 . December 15, 2022 . February 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201085324/https://deadline.com/2022/12/apple-tv-orders-mythic-quest-companion-series-mere-mortals-1235200235/ . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mythic Quest".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.