Thought there were enough cast members in Bryan Fuller’s TV series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods? Think again, as two more names have just been added: Orlando Jones as Mr Nancy, and Demore Barnes as Mr Ibis.
First up, Jones (Sleepy Hollow, Evolution, Bedazzled)’s Mr Nancy is trickster god in the mould of Loki – essentially a version of Anansi (who later got a spinoff book of his own – of sorts – in Gaiman’s Anansi Boys), an African god of mischief, who often takes a spidery form. While he’ll be distinctly more human in the TV series, don’t expect him to be any less tricksy.
Next, Barnes (12 Monkeys, Hemlock Grove) is Ibis, based on the Egyptian god Thoth, is a slightly more serious proposition, functioning as storyteller – and narrator of sorts – by explaining to protagonist Shadow Moon the wider context of the war between the Old and New Gods.
Overall, they have to rank as two solid additions to an already impressive and diverse-looking cast. Both have impressed whenever they have appeared, and we look forward to seeing what they add to Fuller’s world.
For those who are unfamiliar, American Gods follows released convict Shadow Moon as he starts working for the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, all the while the world spirals into an all-out war between the increasingly obsolete Old Gods of mythology and the New Gods of technology – all the while encompassing Gaiman’s trademark brand of folklore-infused storytelling.
Jones and Barnes join a cast that already includes the likes of Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, Emily Browning, Gillian Anderson, Yetide Badaki, Bruce Langley, Pablo Schreiber, Cloris Leachman, Peter Stormare and Jonathan Tucker.
American Gods will air on Starz in the US in 2017, with a UK channel and air date to be announced. For more news about the latest TV series pick up the new issue of SciFiNow.
