Four episodes into shooting, and the TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman's American Gods continues to add to its cast. The latest recruits, as first reported by Entertainment Weekly, are Orlando Jones and Demore Barnes.
Adapted by Hannibal's Bryan Fuller and Blade Runner sequel writer Michael Green, the series based Gaiman's book (which has the writer himself as an executive producer), chronicles the struggle between the gods of old (mythological legends from around the world) and new (reflecting modern society's love for money, technology and celebrity, among other things). The story finds Shadow (Ricky Whittle) trying to come to grips with his suddenly changing life and his connection with the Norse god Odin.
Jones is aboard to play Mr. Nancy, the old African trickster god more commonly known as Anansi, and one of Mr. Wednesday’s (Ian McShane) oldest confidantes. He was also a big part of Gaiman's spin-off book Anansi Boys. As for Barnes, he's Mr. Ibis, the keeper of stories, past and present, and he recounts them with great relish. His old fashioned sensibilities do not preclude a wry wit.
The pair joins a cast that already includes Whittle, McShane, Gillian Anderson, Emily Browning, Peter Stormare, Pablo Schreiber and Cloris Leachman. American Gods should be on our screens next year.