Explore a world of sex, magick, and rocket science in CBS All Access’ new series, Strange Angel.
Based on the 2006 novel of the same name by George Pendle, the series was created by Mark Heyman (Black Swan, The Wrestler). The story follows the life of Jack Parsons, a mysterious and brilliant man in 1930s Los Angeles, who by day helps birth the entirely unknown discipline of American rocketry, and by night is a performer of sex magick rituals and a disciple to occultist Aleister Crowley.
The series picks when Jack (Jack Reynor) and his partner in rocket science Ed (Peter Mark Kendall) are trying to get funding from CalTech so they are able to be more ambitious with their experiments. Jack is convinced of his brilliance and frustrated at his current day job at a chemical plant where he can’t understand why people refuse to recognise that he and rockets are the future. His wife Susan (Bella Heathcote) believes in him, but she is restless to see his long-promised plans to come to fruition. Meanwhile, their unsettling new neighbour Ernest (Rupert Friend) hints at knowing a way in which they can rise above their frustrations to be a bit freer, if only they would leave behind their perceptions of what they should be doing.
Jack Parsons began following Aleister Crowley in 1938, who was the founder of the Thelemic religion and referred to himself as “The Great Beast 666.” Crowley had joined the Ordo Templi Orientis, or O.T.O, in 1910 and went on to lead it while transforming the Freemasonry-influence group with the help of a little Sex Magick.
Parsons and his wife, who’s real name was Helen, joined Agape Lodge, the O.T.O’s Pasadena chapter, in 1939. In 1944, Parson took over as acting master of the lodge and formed a commune he called “The Parsonage”, which included science fiction master Robert Heinlein and Hubbard. As part of rocketry’s Suicide Club, Parsons chanted Crowley’s “Hymn to Pan” before he launched test rockets. Parsons conducted various rituals, including some in 1946 which corresponded with a marked increase in reports of UFO observations now called the “Great Flying Saucer Flap.” Some people believe Parsons opened a door and something flew in. At the age of 37, Jack Parsons died in a chemical explosion in 1952.
The series stars Jack Reynor (Sing Street), Phil Abrams (Kingdom), Kurt Ela (Impastor), Louis Mustillo (Mike & Molly), Bella Heathcote (The Man in the High Castle), Rupert Friend (Homeland), Peter Mark Kendall (Chicago Med) and Michael Gaston (The Leftovers).
Strange Angel is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions. Heyman serves as executive producer alongside David DiGilio, Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker. Clayton Krueger is co-executive producer while David Lowery directs and executive produces.
If you’re interested in checking out the novel, you can find out the synopsis on Goodreads and it is available for purchase from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
The 10-episode season of Strange Angel premieres June 14th on CBS All Access.
