'American Gods' Casts Orlando Jones as Mr. Nancy

Starz

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.

Also Read: Gillian Anderson Joins Starz's 'American Gods'

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.

First Looks at New TV Shows for the 2016-17 Season (Updating Photos)

Marlon Wayans, Geena Davis and Michael Weatherly are just a few of the stars coming to TV series this fall.
NBC's "Trial & Error" stars John Lithgow as an eccentric professor accused of murdering his wife. Jeff Astrof ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") and Matt Miller are the writer-producers.
NBC's "Powerless," the first comedy set in the DC Comics universe, stars Vanessa Hudgens as an insurance adjuster who investigates damages caused by superheroes.
Fox's "APB" is a crime drama set in Chicago, complete with coverups and police corruption. Justin Kirk plays the tech titan who finances his own security force to bring justice to the city.
"Bull" on CBS stars Michael Weatherly as a jury consultant; the series is modeled on the real-life trial experiences of Dr. Phil.
Fox's "Lethal Weapon" is a reboot of the popular movie franchise, this time with Clayne Crawford ("Rectify") and Damon Wayans Sr. as a pair of bickering buddy cops.
Fox's "The Exorcist" stars Geena Davis as a woman troubled by dark visions and the two priests who investigate. Jeremy Slater will be the writer-producer.
Fox's comedy "The Mick" stars Kaitlin Olson as a low-life hustler who inherits his sister's fortune - and her three spoiled kids.
Fox's drama "Pitch" is about a young woman (Kylie Bunbury of "Under the Dome") who makes history by becoming the first woman to play Major League Baseball.
Fox's "Making History" is a time-travel comedy with Leighton Meester ("Gossip Girl") as one of three friends who share adventures across two centuries.
NBC's "Chicago Justice" is the latest crime drama from "Law & Order" mastermind Dick Wolf. A team of tough prosecutors battle crime while navigating complicated big-city politics.
NBC's "This is Us" is a dramedy from writer Dan Fogelman that revolves around an interdependent cast of characters, several of whom share the same birthday.
ABC's "Time After Time" is a time-travel drama from writer-producer Kevin Williamson about the search for Jack the Ripper.
NBC's "Marlon" is a family comedy starring "Scary Movie" star Marlon Wayans.
Tina Fey is among the executive producers on NBC's "Great News," a comedy about a woman (Andrea Martin) who rejoins the workforce as an intern at her daughter's TV station.
NBC's "Midnight, Texas" is a horror fantasy about vampires, witches and other supernatural beings in a remote Texas town. The network is saving the show for midseason.
CBS' "Kevin Can Wait" brings Kevin James back to his sitcom roots.
ABC's family comedy "Speechless" stars Minnie Driver as a mom with a special-needs kid.
CBS is rebooting the adventure series "MacGyver."