Mythic Quest

Premise

The series centers on the fictional studio that produces Mythic Quest, a popular MMORPG. The show begins as the studio prepares to release a major expansion pack, Raven's Banquet. The game's creator and creative director, Ian Grimm, frequently clashes with lead engineer Poppy Li, executive producer David Brittlesbee, and head of monetization Brad Bakshi over development decisions.

The main cast includes Rob McElhenney as Ian Grimm, Charlotte Nicdao as Poppy Li, David Hornsby as David Brittlesbee, Danny Pudi as Brad Bakshi, Ashly Burch as game tester Rachel Meyee, Jessie Ennis as executive assistant Jo, Imani Hakim as game tester Dana Bryant, and F. Murray Abraham as head writer C.W. Longbottom. Other characters include community manager Sue Gorgon, popular livestreamer Brendan (known as Pootie_Shoe), and various programmers, testers, and executives. The show also features flashback episodes exploring the younger versions of Ian and Poppy, as well as the backstory of C.W. Longbottom.

Production

Apple gave a series order to the half-hour comedy on August 9, 2018, with Rob McElhenney, Megan Ganz, and Charlie Day writing and executive producing alongside Michael Rotenberg, Nicholas Frenkel, Gérard Guillemot, Jason Altman, and Danielle Kreinik. Production companies included RCG Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Ubisoft Film & Television. McElhenney developed the concept after Ubisoft invited him to their Montreal studio, where he saw potential for a show about video game development.

Ubisoft assisted in designing game characters, the game world, and other art assets, and helped writers maintain authenticity. The series was renewed for a second season before the first premiered, and in October 2021 it was renewed for a third and fourth season. Filming of the first season concluded by March 2019.

A special episode, Mythic Quest: Quarantine, was written, shot, and edited remotely in three weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic using Apple products. F. Murray Abraham exited after season two following allegations of sexual misconduct; he issued a public apology. The third season featured a guest role by Joe Manganiello.

Release

McElhenney presented a trailer at Ubisoft's E3 2019 press conference on June 10, 2019, announcing a fall 2019 premiere. The premiere was later set for February 7, 2020. The first season of nine episodes was released on that date. A special episode, Quarantine, aired on May 22, 2020, and a second special, Everlight, on April 16, 2021.

The second season premiered on May 7, 2021, with weekly episodes. The third season, with ten episodes, premiered on November 11, 2022. The fourth season premiered on January 29, 2025.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season received a 90% approval rating from 39 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The critical consensus noted the series was hilarious and explored the gaming industry with intelligence and sincerity, though it relied heavily on the workplace comedy formula. Metacritic assigned a score of 73 out of 100 based on 12 reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews. The second season earned a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 32 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10, and a Metacritic score of 73 out of 100.

The third season had a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 21 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The fourth season also had a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 21 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10, and a Metacritic score of 83 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim. The series received The ReFrame Stamp for hiring people of underrepresented gender identities and people of color.

Did You Know?

• 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 audiobook, narrated by F. Murray Abraham and Rob McElhenney.
• The spinoff Side Quest was originally ordered as Mere Mortals in December 2022, created by Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris, and Katie McElhenney.
• Anthony Hopkins played the narrator in the special episode 'Everlight'.