STARZ Network continues to surprise audiences with their top of the line programming.  One of the most anticipated new series from the cable network HAS to be their adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Hugo and Nebula award winning novel, American Gods.

The series is being developed for television by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, the two will be writing the actual script for at LEAST the first episode, and also serve as the show runners.  The big news today is the casting of three more faces to join the pantheon of figures:

 

Three new Deities have been announced! The much-loved Mad Sweeney, an ancient Scottish figure of legend that has a knack for pulling coins and luck out of thin air, will be played by Sean Harris (The Borgias, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation). Harris is known for his turn in The Borgias as the assassin and close friend of Cesare Borgia, Micheletto. I have high hopes for his portrayal of one of the most entertaining characters in the book.

The lovely Yetide Badaki will be filling the role of Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba herself. Bilquis is spending her days in America as a prostitute, luring men to worship her and never be seen again. This casting looks to be very promising and I personally am very pleased to see a woman of color filling this incredibly compelling role.

Our new American Deities include a figure known as Technical Boy, who will be played by Bruce Langley (Deadly Waters). Technical Boy is a twitchy (or should I say Glitchy?) little thing, very spoiled, new onto the cosmic scene, always wanting the latest thing. Langley in the role should definitely be interesting to watch!

The book is a favorite of many Gaiman fans (myself included) and it is populated by larger-than-life ancient Deities, living surprisingly mundane lives in modern-day America.

Ian McShane (Deadwood, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) has been cast to play the American incarnation of the Allfather, Odin himself, who goes by Mr. Wednesday these days. Two of the most “normal” people in the novel (or so we are led to believe) Shadow and Laura Moon will be played by Ricky Whittle (The 100, Hollyoaks) and Emily Browning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Suckerpunch).

We’re not sure when the show will hit the air, but keep checking back for updates as they become available.