Summary
- Ricky Whittle reveals that he has been talking to Neil Gaiman about bringing
American Gods
to another streaming platform and finishing the story. - Gaiman’s success with other TV adaptations may help revive
American Gods
, with the potential for Netflix or Prime Video to pick it up. - Despite its cancellation, Whittle and Gaiman’s determination could ensure that
American Gods
makes a comeback, as they campaign for its revival.
American Gods star Ricky Whittle reveals that the Starz series may not have reached its end just yet. The fantasy drama series is based on Neil Gaiman’s 2001 novel of the same name, where Whittle’s Shadow Moon is caught in a conflict between the Gods of classic mythology and the new deities of the modern world. Despite earning widespread acclaim, the series was cancelled in 2021.
While the American Gods spin-off Anansi Boys is moving ahead at Prime Video, Whittle has revealed to Bleeding Cool that the original series might not be over. Whittle explains he has been in consistent contact with Gaiman about bringing American Gods to other interested networks and streamers. Both he and the author still hope to bring the final chapters of the novel’s story to the screen. Check out Whittle’s full explanation below:
“It is very much not dead. I’ve had discussions for about two, three years now with Neil Gaiman about taking it somewhere to finish it, to another streamer to finish the story.
“So there’s more story there for Shadow Moon to return. And it’s something that I’m very interested in. I want to finish the book ‘American Gods,’ Neil [Gaiman] and I want to finish it for the fans. He wants to finish that story because the end of the book is the best part. It’s such an incredible twist that it would be a crime for us not to finish it. So there’s definitely movement, and there’s definitely talks between myself and Neil Gaiman in bringing bringing a team back to kind of finish the story.”
Neil Gaiman’s Recent Television Hits Could Lay The Groundwork For An American Gods Revival
While Gaiman had begun to lay out plans for season 4 in 2019, the series instead ended with American Gods‘ shocking season 3 cliffhanger, where Shadow died as part of Wednesday’s (Ian McShane) grand scheme to empower himself against the New Gods. With the novel only partially adapted by Starz, many have remained eager to see more. Now following Gaiman’s recent television experience, the author may be in a stronger position to bring American Gods back to life.
Gaiman has achieved further success with both The Sandman and Good Omens season 2. Both shows have not only earned critical praise, but also have additional episodes on the way, alongside the former’s spin-off Dead Boy Detectives coming in April 2024. With these adaptations becoming celebrated and attracting incredible audience interest, Gaiman may be in a position to convince either Netflix or Prime Video to pick up American Gods. Furthermore, with Anansi Boys already going ahead at Prime Video, the streamer may see the potential to revive the series should the spin-off succeed.
With over three years passing since it was cancelled and the streaming industry entering an unpredictable age, many may have begun to accept that American Gods may never be completed. However, with both Whittle and Gaiman campaigning for its revival, it has a fighting chance. While American Gods faced showrunner exits and casting controversies during its original run, the series’ lasting legacy and both Whittle and Gaiman’s determination could ensure that the Old Gods may return once more.
American Gods
is available to stream on Prime Video and Starz.
Source: Bleeding Cool
American Gods
Based on Neil Gaiman’s 2001 novel of the same name, American Gods follows Shadow Moon, an ex-con who meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday shortly after his release from prison. Mr. Wednesday’s employment sees Shadow become embroiled in the conflict between the Old Gods and the New Gods, learning that deities secretly walk among humanity and are forced to fight for their place in the world.
- Release Date
- April 30, 2017
- Cast
- Ricky Whittle , Peter Stormare , Gillian Anderson , Jonathan Tucker , Cloris Leachman , Ian McShane , Bruce Langley , Emily Browning , Yetide Badaki
- Seasons
- 3
- Writers
- Bryan Fuller
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- Directors
- David Slade
- Showrunner
- Bryan Fuller