So, picture this. You're turning 21. You expect a hangover, maybe a few questionable gifts, and a blurry memory of a pub crawl. Instead, your older brothers drag you into a forest, make you stand there naked, and tell you that you’re the reincarnation of Odin, the Allfather.
Welcome to the life of Axl Johnson.
Honestly, The Almighty Johnsons is one of those shows that sounds completely ridiculous on paper. Norse gods living in a suburb in Auckland, New Zealand? It sounds like a low-budget parody. But that’s exactly where it catches you off guard. It’s not a parody; it’s a brilliant, gritty, and deeply human take on mythology that makes the flashy MCU version of Asgard look a bit... well, plastic.
Who is Odin in The Almighty Johnsons?
In most stories, Odin is this towering figure with a golden eye patch and a booming voice. In this show, he’s Axl. He’s the youngest brother, a bit of a "goofball," and mostly just wants to get through his degree and find a girl who likes him.
Axl, played by Emmett Skilton, doesn't get a throne. He gets a messy flat and a quest that feels more like a chore than a divine calling. The hook is simple: the Norse gods have been stuck in human form for centuries. Their powers are "muted." They’re basically just dudes with party tricks. To get back to full strength—to actually be gods again—Odin has to find his wife, Frigg.
If he doesn't? The whole family dies. No pressure, right?
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The genius of the show is how it treats "godhood." It’s not a gift; it’s a curse. Each brother is a different god, and their divine nature usually ends up ruining their human lives.
- Mike (Ullr) is the oldest. He’s the god of the hunt and games. He literally cannot lose a game of skill. Sounds great? No. He hates it because it feels like cheating, so he lives a boring, responsible life as a builder just to keep the family from falling apart.
- Anders (Bragi) is the god of poetry and eloquence. In 21st-century New Zealand, that translates to being a high-end PR agent who can talk anyone into anything. He’s a charming jerk who uses his "god power" to get laid and win clients.
- Ty (Höðr) is the god of winter and darkness. He’s perpetually cold. He repairs refrigerators for a living because he’s the only one who can stand being in the freezer for hours. He’s also desperately lonely because if he gets too close to a woman, he might actually freeze her to death.
Why the "Quest for Frigg" is a Mess
The main plot of The Almighty Johnsons revolves around the search for Frigg. But here’s the kicker: they don’t know who she is. She’s reincarnated too, but she hasn't "awakened" yet.
Axl spends three seasons basically trying to date every woman in Auckland to see if she’s "The One." It’s like a mythological version of The Bachelor, but with more earthquakes and fewer roses.
It gets complicated because there’s a rival group of Goddesses, led by their own mother, Agnetha (Freyja). The women don't actually want the men to find Frigg. Why? Because the last time the gods were at full power, it was a total patriarchy and things didn't go great for the ladies. They’d rather stay half-powered and independent than go back to being "consorts."
You've got to appreciate the writing here. It turns an ancient myth into a modern gender-war drama. It asks a pretty heavy question: if you had the chance to be a literal god but it meant losing your free will to a destiny written thousands of years ago, would you do it?
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The Kiwi Charm You Won't Find Elsewhere
If you've watched Outrageous Fortune or The Brokenwood Mysteries, you know the vibe. There’s a specific "Kiwi-ness" to this show. It’s dry. It’s cynical. It’s very "no worries, mate," even when the world is ending.
The budget isn't massive. You aren't going to see giant CGI frost giants. Instead, you get "Gunderson" (Loki), an eccentric lawyer who lives in a swanky apartment and creates chaos through legal loopholes and fire-starting. You get "Derrick" (Thor), who is a goat farmer with a big hammer and a drinking problem.
It feels real. When Axl "transforms," he doesn't get a costume. He just gets a weird glow in his eyes and maybe causes a localized tremor. It’s urban fantasy done with a beer in one hand and a shrug of the shoulders.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
The show ran for three seasons, from 2011 to 2013. It actually got cancelled after Season 2, but fans literally sent twigs to the TV station (it’s a reference to the show, don't ask) to get it brought back.
A lot of people think the ending is about Axl finally "winning" and becoming a king. Without spoiling the specifics, that’s not really the point. The show is much more interested in whether these people are better off as gods or as humans.
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By Season 3, they even introduce other pantheons. We find out there are Maori gods in New Zealand too. It opens up this whole world where every culture’s myths are just hanging out in the suburbs, trying to pay rent and find a decent coffee.
Is It Still Worth Watching in 2026?
Definitely. Honestly, it’s aged better than a lot of the high-budget fantasy shows from the same era. Because it relies on character and dialogue rather than special effects, it doesn't look "dated."
Currently, you can find it streaming on platforms like Peacock or The Roku Channel in the US, and it pops up on STV Player in the UK. If you like American Gods but wish it was a little less "pretentious" and a lot more "New Zealand pub culture," this is your show.
Practical Takeaways for Fans:
- Don't skip the "Webisodes": There are short clips called B-Venture that fill in some gaps between seasons.
- Pay attention to the names: Almost every minor character's name is a nod to a Norse figure (e.g., the lawyer "Colin Gundersen" is a play on the names for Loki).
- Check out the cast: Many of these actors, like Dean O'Gorman (who played Fili in The Hobbit), are Kiwi royalty.
If you’re looking for a binge-watch that’s funny, occasionally heartbreaking, and features the most relatable version of Odin ever put on screen, give the Johnsons a shot. Just don't expect any golden thrones. They’re more of a "plastic lawn chair" kind of family.
To get the most out of your watch, start by looking up a basic list of the Norse gods mentioned—the show plays fast and loose with the myths, and half the fun is seeing how they "modernize" a god's specific attribute into a mundane human habit or job.