After some behind the scenes shuffling, Starz’s acclaimed series ‘American Gods’ based on Neil Gaiman‘s bestselling novel, appears to be back on track and ready to deliver a sophomore batch of episodes. Already an ensemble series, ‘American Gods’ is adding even more characters to the mix, and, unfortunately, replacing an older one. Dean Winters, Devery Jacobs and Kahyun Kim join the adventure, opposite Ian McShane, Crispin Glover, Ricky Whittle and the rest.
Gillian Anderson was mesmerizing as Media in the first season, with her embodiment of Lucille Ball, David Bowie and more, but Anderson is stepping back from acting, exiting not just this series, but the one that made her famous, ‘The X-Files’. Considering that Media was a pretty important character, her absence would be pretty glaring, but rather than recasting Media, the show’s producers are introducing Kahyun Kim as New Media. The ‘American Gods’ novel was released in 2001 and in that span of time, our consumption of entertainment and news has mutated at an unbelievable pace. So adding a character that reflects that only makes sense. Plus it would be nearly impossible to find someone to simply assume Anderson’s role.
New Media is described as “the goddess of global content — and in this age, a cyberspace chameleon, who is also a master of manipulation.”
Kim is an alumnus of Julliard and has made appearances on ‘The Mysteries of Laura’, ‘Austin & Ally’, ‘Shameless’ and ‘Cassandra’s French Finishing School’.
Dean Winters is a pretty familiar face, having appeared on numerous series including his first, ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’. From there, he went on to be featured on ‘Oz’, ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’, ‘Rescue Me’, ’30 Rock’, ‘Battle Creek’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, ‘Divorce’ and ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.
Winters will play another lackey of Mr. World (Glover), named Mr. Town. He will be tasked with trying to discover just how much Shadow Moon (Whittle) knows about Mr. Wednesday’s plan. “His brutal efficiency and technique just may get him the answers to his curious questions.”
While New Media and Mr. Town are additional Gods, it seems as though Devery Jacobs is joining as another human who gets mixed up in the war between the modern ‘American Gods’ with their ancient forefathers.
Jacobs plays college student Sam Black Crow. “She is spiritually cynical for someone who claims to believe in so much. She lives life with fierce confidence and openness, selling the chainsaw art she carves by the roadside for extra money.” That description doesn’t really reveal how she will fit into the story, but even minor characters from season one managed to turn in some memorable contributions, so hopefully, that will remain the case for Sam Black Crow.
Jacobs has had roles on the TV series ‘Mohawk Girls’, ‘Cold’, ‘This Life’ and ‘Cardinal’.
Season two of ‘American Gods’ introduces a new executive producer and showrunner Jesse Alexander. Chris Byrne, who served as supervising director during season one, will direct the first new episode.
In addition to McShane, Glover and Whittle, the cast includes Yetide Badaki, Emily Browning, Bruce Langley and Pablo Schreiber. Frequent guest stars include Omid Abtahi, Demore Barnes, Orlando Jones, Mousa Kraish, Cloris Leachman, Chris Obi and Peter Stormare.
At this time, Starz has not yet indicated when ‘American Gods’ will return.
Source: Deadline
