God’s Favorite Idiot, the newest series from Ben Falcone which began mid-June 2022, is an expert blending of apocalyptic storytelling and workplace comedy. In this fictional universe, Falcone’s character, Clark Thompson, finds he is responsible for stopping the apocalypse. He is joined in the cast by a number of other notable performers, including his wife, Melissa McCarthy.
Though Falcone and McCarthy have collaborated on a number of projects, they have also appeared in a number of other high-profile projects, a fact that is also true of the rest of the series’ very talented cast, all of whom have venerable resumes.
Melissa McCarthy - “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018)
Not Currently Available For Streaming
Though she is primarily known for her comedy, Melissa McCarthy has also shown that she has what it takes to be a very strong dramatic actress. In Can You Ever Forgive Me, for example, she plays the character of Lee Israel, a down-on-her-luck author who turns to literary forgery to try to resuscitate her flagging literary fortunes.
It’s a powerful performance from McCarthy, who wrings pathos from the role, turning Israel into someone that the audience can understand, even if they don’t always approve of her various actions. McCarthy plays Amily in God’s Favorite Idiot.
Ben Falcone - “Nine Perfect Strangers” (2021)
Streaming On Hulu
Though he has been in a number of his own projects, Falcone has been especially famous for often appearing alongside his wife. This is particularly true of Nine Perfect Strangers, in which he plays the character Paul Drabble, a catfisher who deceived Melissa McCarthy’s character. Even though he only appears in a few episodes, Falcone nevertheless manages to create a character who is human and, obviously, deeply flawed.
Even though he is one of the series’ villains, he still has an undeniable chemistry with McCarthy. He plays the main character, Clark Thompson, in God’s Favorite Idiot.
Usman Ally - “On Becoming A God In Central Florida” (2019)
Streaming On Hulu
On Becoming a God in Central Florida is certainly a unique show, focusing as it does on a woman who manipulates her way into the higher echelons of a pyramid scheme. Though Kirsten Dunst is the series’ star, (it's one of her best roles), as with so many other successful black comedies, it also leans heavily on its supporting cast. This includes Usman Ally, who plays the character of Stan Van Grundegaard.
Though he is only a supporting character, he nevertheless manages to hit the right notes, becoming a key part of why this series is so disturbingly funny. He plays the character of Mohsin Raza in God’s Favorite Idiot.
Kevin Dunn - “Veep” (2012 - 2019)
Streaming On HBO Max
Veep is rightly regarded as one of the best comedies on HBO. Searing and lacerating in its humor, it also relied heavily on the various talented members of its cast. One of these was Kevin Dunn, who played the character of Ben Cafferty, the Chief of Staff to the President.
Highly strung yet politically savvy, he was one of the best characters to have appeared in the show, someone who joined in the ensemble to make the show as hilarious as it was. He appears as Clark’s father, Gene.
Chris Sandiford - “What We Do In The Shadows” (2019 - )
Streaming On Hulu
What We Do in the Shadows has become a very popular series on FX, and it’s easy to see why. With its slyly funny and irreverent take on traditional vampire mythology, it demonstrates the extent to which there is still a great deal of life left in this figure.
As with so many other series, it succeeds in part because of its various side characters, one of whom is played by Chris Sandiford (who appears as Tom in God’s Favorite Idiot). His Shadows character, Derek, is a rather hapless vampire. Sandiford manages, however, to make him very charming as well.
Yanic Truesdale - “Gilmore Girls” (2000 - 2007)
Streaming On Netflix
Yanic Truesdale has been in Hollywood for quite some time and, in addition to being in many TV series as a supporting player, he now appears as Chamuel in God’s Favorite Idiot. Arguably his most notable previous role, however, was as Michel Gerard in the very popular series Gilmore Girls.
In that series, he created a character who was, in the beginning, very uptight but gradually became a little looser. Truesdale’s brilliance as a performer was that he was able to create a character who could be so irritating and loanable at the same time.
Leon Ford “Gallipoli” (2015)
Streaming On The Roku Channel
Though it hasn’t been the subject of quite as many TV series as World War II, World War I is still a conflict that has left its mark on the popular cultural imagination. Of particular note is the Australian series Gallipoli, which focuses on the Australian men who landed at Gallipoli in Turkey.
In the series, Leon Ford appears as Charles Bean, a very important historian and war correspondent. He brings a certain weightiness and gravitas to this major role, though he has a lighter touch in God’s Favorite Idiot, in which he appears as Reverend Milton Throp.
Leslie Bibb - “Jupiter’s Legacy” (2021)
Streaming On Netflix
Leslie Bibb has had a very productive career in Hollywood, including several appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Arguably one of her most high-profile recent appearances, however, has been in the short-lived series Jupiter’s Legacy on Netflix.
Bibb imbues her superhero character with a great deal of complexity and strength, both in terms of her actual physical abilities and her willingness to openly disagree with her husband. She brings her considerable on-screen charm to bear as Satan in God’s Favorite Idiot.
Magda Szubanski - “Babe” (1995)
Streaming On Hulu
Few family movies have been quite as charming as Babe, which focuses on a talking pig who wants nothing more than to be a sheepdog. The movie is full of joy, and Magda Szubanski makes a notable appearance in the movie as Mrs. Hoggett, the wife of the farmer.
She brings a warm and bubbly charm to the role, and there is an undeniable chemistry between her and James Cromwell’s Mr. Hoggett. She brings a similar type of characterization to God, the person she plays in God’s Favorite Idiot.
Ana Scotney - “Shortland Street” (1992 - )
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Ava Scotney, who appears as Wendy in God’s Favorite Idiot, has appeared in a number of successful series, particularly in New Zealand. In particular, she is known for having a role in the soap opera Shortland Street, in which she plays the character, Angel Schmidt.
Ana brings a considerable amount of complexity in her characterization, giving viewers a character who has her own career ambitions but is still capable of getting embroiled in a number of romantic entanglements.