The Big Door Prize

The Big Door Prize is an American comedy television series based on the book of the same name by M. O. Walsh that premiered on Apple TV+ on March 29, 2023. In April 2023, it was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 24, 2024. In June 2024, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Premise
In the quiet, unassuming town of Deerfield, life moves at a gentle pace until a mysterious machine appears in the local general store. This enigmatic device, seemingly arriving out of nowhere, promises to reveal each individual's "Life Potential" with just a simple consultation. As word spreads, curiosity and excitement ripple through the community, drawing townsfolk from all walks of life to test their fate.

The machine's predictions, delivered through cryptic messages or vivid imagery, range from specific career paths to more general pronouncements about happiness and fulfillment. This arrival brings profound changes to Deerfield, sparking both hope and chaos. Some residents find new purpose and direction, inspired to pursue dreams they had long abandoned, while others face unsettling revelations about their futures. Relationships are tested, secrets are unveiled, and the very fabric of the town is altered as people grapple with the machine's pronouncements.

Cast

 * Chris O'Dowd as Dusty
 * Gabrielle Dennis as Cass
 * Patrick Kerr as Mr. Johnson
 * Damon Gupton as Father Reuben
 * Josh Segarra as Giorgio
 * Christian Adam as Trevor
 * Sammy Fourlas as Jacob and Kolton
 * Djouliet Amara as Trina
 * Aaron Roman Weiner as Beau
 * Ally Maki as Hana
 * Crystal R. Fox as Izzy
 * Jim Meskimen as Cary Hubbard
 * Deirdre O'Connell as Eloise Hubbard
 * Mary Holland as Nat
 * Justine Lupe as Alice (Season 2)

Production
It was announced in May 2021 that Apple TV+ had greenlit a ten-episode series based on the book, with David West Read as showrunner. In December, Chris O'Dowd was cast to star, with Gabrielle Dennis, Damon Gupton, Josh Segarra and Sammy Forulas co-starring. In February 2022, Djouliet Amara, Ally Maki and Crystal R. Fox joined the cast. In April 2023, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season. On June 28, 2024, Apple TV+ canceled the series after two seasons.

Principal photography for season one took place in December 2021 in Georgia. Scenes for the show were shot in and around the Canton Theatre in Canton, Georgia. Filming for season two began January 23 and wrapped on May 2, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reception
For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 7.2/10, based on 37 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Turning a high concept into a grounded good time, The Big Door Prize realizes its full potential thanks to a lovable cast of relatable characters." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 71 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

The second season has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 15 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Cozy as a weighted blanket and full of keen insights into its merry band of restless neighbors, The Big Door Prize is well worth creaking open for a second visit."