Starz’s “American Gods” adaptation has added Orlando Jones in the pivotal role of Mr. Nancy, the cable network announced Wednesday.
Ricky Whittle stars in the adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel, which portrays a war between the old gods of biblical and mythological roots and a new group of gods “reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs.”
Jones will play the old African trickster god more commonly known as Anansi, and one of Mr. Wednesday’s (Ian McShane) oldest confidantes. Like Wednesday, Nancy is ready to bring this new America (and its new gods) to its knees, desperate to light a fire and watch the whole world burn.
Additionally, Demore Barnes has also been added to the cast as Mr. Ibis, the keeper of stories, past and present, and he recounts them with great relish. His old fashioned sensibilities, however, do not preclude a wry wit.
Emily Browning and Gillian Anderson also star. Michael Green and Bryan Fuller will act as showrunners and executive producers, while David Slade will direct.
Jones most recently starred on Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” and will next be seen in films “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” and “Tainted Love,” which he also wrote and produced. He is represented by Paradigm, RPMedia and Untitled Entertainment.