AMERICAN GODS: Ricky Whittle Cast In Lead Role [Starz]

Ricky Whittle to star in American Gods. Whittle is set to play the main role in the Starz TV adaptation of the novel by Neil Gaiman.

A regularly-appearing cast member on The CW‘s science fiction drama The 100, Whittle has experience in programs featuring fantastical content. This is all the better for Whittle, as the book the series is based on is regarded as a classic by many and an object of reverence by fans:

The series posits a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of mythological roots from around the world steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. The plot centers around Shadow Moon, an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday, a conman but in reality one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation to battle the new deities.

With this background, it was absolutely vital that the production team get everything, especially the casting, just right, as showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green freely admitted. Discussing the lengths they went to find the right person for the role, the two producers claimed they searched every continent for someone who could play Shadow before finally deciding on Whittle. Even Neil Gaiman, the author of the novel as well as the source book for Coraline, enthusiastically weighed in on the actor’s behalf, saying he was “thrilled” and “delighted” that Whittle was cast as Shadow.

American Gods‘ debut is still a bit of a ways off, but production is set to start in Toronto, Canada, this coming April.

Leave your thoughts on Ricky Whittle starring in American Gods (via Variety) in the comments section below. For more American Gods photos, videos, and information, visit our American Gods Page, and consider subscribing to us by Email, “following” us on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, or “liking” us on Facebook for quick updates. American Gods is set to air on Starz in 2017.