Starz and FremantleMedia North America today announced that Ian McShane has been cast in American Gods as Mr. Wednesday, the upcoming television adaptation of Neil Gaiman's acclaimed contemporary fantasy novel of the same name.
Ian McShane
Beginning to shoot in April, Gaiman said: "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 (he was bright blue in it, animated, and probably Polish). Now I count myself even luckier: he's made the journey from Lovejoy to American Gods."
Showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green add: "Actor. Icon. And now God. It is a goddamn delight to be collaborating with the incomparable Ian McShane - again and for the first time - on a story about faith and belief, with the utmost faith and belief in Mr. McShane as our Mr. Wednesday. A wonderful Wednesday indeed."
Wednesday is described as "a crafty and endlessly charismatic con man, full of perverse wisdom, curious magic, and grand plans."
McShane joins recently announced actor Ricky Whittle, who'll be playing Shadow Moon in the series, a man hired to be Mr. Wednesday's bodyguard as the pair journey across America.
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