Devil May Care

Devil May Care is a vibrant American adult animated series that aired in 2021 on the Syfy network as a part of its late night adult animation block, TZGZ. The series, directed by Douglas Einar Olsen and produced by Bold Soul Studios, offers a unique blend of wit, edginess, and satire, all packaged within a bare-knuckle yet delightfully shocking exploration of the afterlife.

Devil May Care orbits around the character of Devil, voiced by the very talented Alan Tudyk, who is the somewhat unconventional ruler of the underworld. In an unexpected swerve of fate, he finds himself in the unique position of needing an assistant. Carryl, a millennial who has recently passed away and found himself in hell, played by Asif Ali, volunteers to take up the role. With this unlikely duo at its heart, the series charts a narrative course brimming with humor, creativity, and unexpected transformations.

This animation sets forth an interesting narrative where Hell is presented not only as as a place for eternal damnation, but also a surprisingly in-need-of-modernization realm. With Bean, the devoted assistant, the Devil embarks on a journey to give Hell a facelift and bring it into the 21st century. Bean's job quickly morphs from just being the Devil’s office assistant, to becoming an unwitting activist working to engineer social change in this underworld realm.

The series is packed with an array of unique and quirky supporting characters, including Gloria, voiced by Pamela Adlon, who is Devil's ever loyal and supportive advocate and Regina, a fun-loving demonic AI, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz. We also meet President McKinley, a historically downgraded figure, using his afterlife to redeem his day-to-day existence with a modern approach to politics. Each character breathes life into the intricate narrative and furthers the exploration of this reimagined underworld.

The refreshing premise of Devil May Care offers a profound look into the views associated with the previously established conceptions of life after death and delves deeper into dark comedy. This aids in developing the series as a more significant critique of societal norms using the sulfurous depths of Hell as the prime medium. It takes an innovative approach by portraying Hell as a reality that simply exists rather than a punishment. The inhabitants are not merely wretched souls, but people from all walks of life having the same existential crises, triumphs, and breakdowns as living counterparts on Earth.

Humor takes center stage in Devil May Care, where it is used to expertly deconstruct certain normalities of prime importance by highlighting the actions or inactions that land people in Hell. The series skillfully dissect irony, hypocrisy and stereotype within its storytelling while balancing it with a generous dose of comedy. The dynamic between Devil and Bean particularly stands out, their interactions are filled with comic timing and wit that adds a sparkle to the narrative.

The beautifully rendered animation of Devil May Care is a wonder to behold, playing an instrumental role in capturing the mystical charm and grandeur of Hell in its newly envisioned mode. The bold color palettes and carefully crafted backdrops all come together to transport viewers into an enchanting elevated reality.

Douglas Goldstein, known for his work on Robot Chicken, is an executive producer and showrunner of Devil May Care. He brings his distinctive style, with the irreverent humor, piercing social commentary and pop culture references, to add to the enjoyment of the series. A host of talented writers have also orchestrated the series with their inventive storytelling techniques and unique plot lines.

Marked by ambitious storytelling, inventive themes and occasioanal absurdity, Devil May Care functions as a refreshing subversion of regular animates series. With its waggish humor, dynamic character arcs, and sharp commentary on society and life as a whole, this series promises to keep viewers intrigued at every turn.