There have been some pretty spot-on pieces of casting for the new TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, with Ian McShane our favorite so far. Three new names have been added to the list, with Sean Harris, Yetide Badaki and Bruce Langley now on board.
Michael Green and Bryan Fuller are leading the team adapting Gaiman's novel (with the writer himself involved), chronicling 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.
Harris, the Prometheus veteran who stole scenes in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation last year, will be Mad Sweeney, a leprechaun who is having a hard time understanding how he lost his charm and way. Always up for a good rumble, Sweeney is never deprived while in the employment of Mr. Wednesday (McShane). Badaki, who has been seen on shows such as Criminal Minds and Masters Of Sex, plays Bilquis, an ancient goddess of love who craves the worship she inspired in eras long gone, and who is eager to find that same relevance in today’s world. And newcomer Langley is on as Technical Boy, a New God who is a dangerously unpredictable purveyor of all things technological.
With the cameras set to start rolling next month, the show itself should be on our screens next year.