Originally published March 3, 2016. Updated June 30, 2023.
Bryan Fuller’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods for Starz has been picking up a lot of steam lately. Recently they cast The 100’s Ricky Whittle as the main character Shadow Moon and now Fuller and Gaiman have announced Ian McShane has taken the other main role as Mr. Wednesday, aka the Norse god Odin.
Author Neil Gaiman had this to say regarding the casting:
“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.’ Yesterday was Super Tuesday. Today is Wonderful Wednesday.”
Fuller also made a statement with producer Michael Green, sounding just as enthusiastic as Gaiman:
“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.”
Ian McShane has done a lot of prolific work over the course of his career, mostly being well known for HBO’s Deadwood. Previously McShane acted in the lead role as King Silas on Green’s short-lived Kings for NBC and this is also his second time partnering with Starz after the mini-series Pillars of the Earth. McShane will also be seen in an unknown role in the upcoming sixth season of Game of Thrones.
Written by Gaiman in 2001, American Gods is the tale of Shadow, a recently released convict, getting caught up in a war between the gods of old mythology against the gods of the modern age. As belief in the old gods dwindles, the new gods of money and technology lay claim to the world and the mysterious con man Mr. Wednesday, really the Norse god Odin, seeks to unite the gods of old and enlists Shadow in the coming battle.
