Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Hard Times

Episode 3 of 6

Aziraphale and Crowley's friendship goes on a journey across the ages, and Agnes Nutter's descendant Anathema arrives in Tadfield on her own mission to save the world.

Over the centuries, the angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley slowly become friends, spending time together in the Garden of Eden, at the time of Noah's ark, in Jerusalem, Ancient Rome, Arthurian Britain, at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, in a prison in Revolutionary France, Victorian London, getting mixed up with a Nazi spy ring in World War II, and in London's Swinging Sixties. Crowley saves Aziraphale from grave danger on more than one occasion, for which he is repaid by the angel with the ultimate gift - a flask of Holy Water.

Back in the present day, now that Aziraphale has located the actual Antichrist, he is preparing to break the news of the misplaced child to his superiors - not least the heavenly but menacing Archangel Gabriel.

Adam overhears an upset Anathema and befriends her. Anathema gives him a pile of New Aquarian magazines and explains to him what needs to be done to save the world. Anathema continues her own investigations in Tadfield, noticing various residents’ auras - a coloured glow that appears around each of them. Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell is contacted by both Aziraphale and Crowley, and asked to investigate Tadfield, look for an 11-year-old boy (by Crowley), and keep an eye on Adam Young (by Aziraphale).

The second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse receives a crucial parcel. Famine receives his scales, but not before he and his assistant are introduced to a chain of fast food ‘restaurants’, serving non-food-based meals - chow. He leaves for the UK.

Shadwell agrees to let Witchfinder Private Newt go to Tadfield.

Meanwhile, increasingly anxious that the Antichrist is still at large, Crowley and Aziraphale meet again to discuss a plan of action, where Crowley suggests Aziraphale, in the interests of the rest of the world, kill Adam. Tensions rise, culminating in an angry row between the two old friends. As the end of the world nears, Adam blissfully and naively uses his powers, changing the world to fit things he reads in magazines Anathema has lent to him, such as removing an entire reactor from a nuclear plant.

57 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Aziraphale Michael Sheen
Composer David Arnold
Crowley David Tennant
Director Douglas Mackinnon
Voice of God Frances McDormand
Writer Neil Gaiman
Gabriel Jon Hamm
Arthur Young Daniel Mays
Deirdre Young Sian Brooke
Adam Young Sam Taylor Buck
Sandalphon Paul Chahidi
Anathema Adria Arjona
Madame Tracy Miranda Richardson
Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell Michael McKean
Thou-Shalt-Not-Commit-Adultery Pulsifer/Newton Pulsifer Jack Whitehall
International Express Man Simon Merrells
Archangel Michael Doon Mackichan
Uriel Gloria Obianyo
Harmony Mark Gatiss
Glozier Steve Pemberton
William Shakespeare Reece Shearsmith
R.P. Tyler Bill Paterson
Famine Yusuf Gatewood
Jesus Adam Bond
Roman Bartender Lindiwe Dim
Richard Burbage Adam Colborne
Oyster Woman Jackie Clune
Jean-Claude the Executioner Joe Vaz
Greta Kleinschmidt Niamh Walsh
Sally Agatha Elwes
Spike Bailey Patrick
Young Shadwel Scott Arthur
Waiter Rowan Polonski
Frannie Marianna Palk
Hortense Nicole Smart
Smythe Nathan Amzi
Power Station Manager Mark Cameron
Minister of State for Energy Simon Murray

Broadcast