Ian McShane Joins Neil Gaiman Adaptation American Gods

Neil Gaiman’s celebrated fantasy tale is headed to the small screen. Starz’ TV adaptation of American Gods hails from Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller, who’s set to showrun and direct several episodes and he has also mentioned names of the latest casting addition with Ian McShane climbing aboard this epic series as the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday.

Gaiman’s sprawling novel takes place across America, following the adventures of ex-con Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) after he’s sprung from prison by a mysterious man. That figure is Mr. Wednesday, who enlists Moon into his world to help him in a battle between ancient and modern gods.

Here’s Gaiman’s enthusiastic response to the news “When you write a beloved character (beloved with, or despite, or because of all his faults) like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the internet trying to cast the role. I’ve seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does. I’ve already been lucky enough to have him in one film. Now I count myself even luckier: he’s made the journey from Lovejoy to American Gods.”

While there is no firm details on when American Gods will debut, it’s expected that the show will drop sometime in 2017.