New 'American Gods' Showrunner Jesse Alexander Sidelined (Report)

Starz

“American Gods” showrunner Jesse Alexander, who took over the Starz drama in February after original showrunners Michael Green and Bryan Fuller exited the series, is no longer working on the show, which is currently in production on Season 2.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news, citing sources that say Alexander was asked to stop working on “American Gods” about a month ago and is no longer a writer or showrunner on the TV adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name. THR reports he still holds the title of executive producer.

According THR, Alexander “has been asked not to sit in on editing, be involved on set or participate in any other areas of production or postproduction.”

Also Read: 'American Gods': Kahyun Kim to Replace Gillian Anderson

Alexander turned in multiple drafts for the Season 2 finale, but they were all rejected by execs at Starz and Fremantle and production is delayed while actors await a script for the final episode of the season, according to THR.

Season 2, which will be eight episodes, is currently expected to debut sometime in 2019.

Representatives for Alexander, Gaiman and lead actor Ian McShane did not respond to multiple requests for comment by TheWrap.

Also Read: 'American Gods' Will Return to Starz in 2019

Starz declined TheWrap’s request to comment directly on Alexander’s showrunner status with the series, saying in a statement first given to THR, “‘American Gods’ has a deep and complex mythology and a unique visual style that makes this series one of the most ambitious productions on television, and one that we remain committed to delivering for our audience. We are confident that when the fans get their first look at season two in just a few weeks at New York Comic-Con, they will agree it was worth the wait.”

Studio Fremantle, also declining to comment on Alexander, added in their own statement: “We stand by our network partner’s statement and share in their confidence that season two will exceed expectations. Our cast and crew are extremely passionate about the show and have delivered something that remains loyal to the source material and true to the creative vision of Neil Gaiman. We think fans will feel the same when we share a first look at New York Comic-Con in a few weeks.”

Creators and ex-showrunners Fuller and Green departed “American Gods” after the first season, with Alexander taking their place. Gaiman also serves as executive producer.

Also Read: Bryan Fuller Exits Apple, Steven Spielberg's 'Amazing Stories' Reboot

Starz still hasn’t given a straight answer about why the duo left the series, with network chief Chris Albrecht saying at the Television Critics Association press tour in January, “They were not fired nor did they quit.”

Along with the showrunner shakeup, “American Gods” has seen casting changes going into its sophomore year, with Gillian Anderson (who played Media) replaced by Kahyun Kim (who will play New Media), and the additions of Dean Winters as Mr. Town, who works with Mr. World (Crispin Glover) to find out what Shadow (Ricky Whittle) knows about Mr. Wednesday’s (Ian McShane) plan and Devery Jacobs as Sam Black Crow, a college student who is spiritually cynical for someone who claims to believe in so much. She lives life confidently, selling the chainsaw art she carves by the roadside for extra money.

It’s unclear if Kristin Chenowith will return as Easter, though Starz CEO Chris Albrecht sounded optimistic in January.

8 Questions We Need Answered in 'American Gods' Season 2 (Photos)

The first season of "American Gods" was full of strange moments as gods both ancient and modern revealed themselves as living among mortals. But after eight episodes, there are plenty of dangling threads we're still waiting to see completed. Here are eight questions we want "American Gods" to answer when it comes back in Season 2.
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8. What is Bilquis’ role in the war?
The New Gods have successfully recruited love goddess Bilquis, and in the Season 1 finale, Technical Boy seems to send her to take on Wednesday and (probably more likely) Shadow. Do they intend for Bilquis to try to seduce either the Old God or his bodyguard to take them out of the war? It seems pretty likely that if anybody is in Bilquis’ sights, it’s Shadow.
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7. What’s Mr. Wednesday’s goal?
He’s readying for a war with the New Gods, but what does that even really mean? Mr. Wednesday seems to suggest that war is coming, war is already here, and that war is inevitable, but after a while you’d think maybe some of the other gods might ask, “What’s in it for you?” If we think back to the very first “coming to America” story of the series, in which Vikings fought each other just to appease their god, the answer may well be that Odin wants war for war’s sake.
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6. What happens when Salim finds the Jinn?
They had a passionate night together and the Jinn managed to improve Salim’s life significantly by giving him a fresh start. But what happens when the mortal finally catches up with the demigod? Seeing as things don’t always go so well for the mortals (or for several gods) on “American Gods,” one has to wonder if this is going to be a happy ending.
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5. Is Mad Sweeney falling for Laura?
Sweeney wants his lucky coin back, but it’s powering Laura’s undeadness. In the finale, we saw an important, character-building moment in which Sweeney willingly gave the coin back to Laura so she could pursue trying to get herself permanently resurrected. But what did that mean for the two of them in the future? Shadow has said he’s over Laura, but she’s apparently not going anywhere -- and in fact, she's more drawn to Shadow than ever thanks to supernatural forces outside of her control.
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4. What’s it going to take to save Laura?
After a tough finale episode and a tangle with the pavement, Laura lost that lucky coin that brings her to life. But Mad Sweeney returned it to her, with the plan of getting her to Easter and getting Laura permanently resurrected. That plan didn’t work out, since there are greater rules of being-killedby-a-god at play. So what’s it going to take to bring back Laura, and is that even possible? With the rate the flies are circling, it’s a valid question to ask whether Laura is actually doomed to die — permanently this time.
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3. What’s the deal with Shadow?
It’s obvious there’s more going on with Shadow than we’ve been told so far. What’s with the gold glow, and why are all the gods concerned with him? Fans of the “American Gods” novel from which the show is adapted know there’s more to Shadow than meets the eye, but we’ll have to wait to see what direction “American Gods” takes in Season 2.
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2. Who, or what, is the Buffalo (and also the Orchard of Bones)?
In addition to being a target of the gods when he's awake, Shadow has been having some weird dreams. He's repeatedly pulled into a strange orchard made of bones, where he's greeted by a huge buffalo with flaming eyes. We know the buffalo is voiced by Ian McShane, but does that mean it's Mr. Wednesday, getting into Shadow's head? Or is there another god trying to make contact with Wednesday's man?
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1. When’s Audrey coming back?
Laura and Shadow’s best friend is also among the show’s funniest characters. Audrey also has shown herself to be one of the most interesting non-god characters to show up on the show so far, especially when interacting with undead Laura. “American Gods” left Audrey mostly out of its first season, except for a couple great appearances — hopefully she’s a bigger, funnier part of Season 2.
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We know a lot about where the gods came from, but not a lot about where they’re headed

The first season of "American Gods" was full of strange moments as gods both ancient and modern revealed themselves as living among mortals. But after eight episodes, there are plenty of dangling threads we're still waiting to see completed. Here are eight questions we want "American Gods" to answer when it comes back in Season 2.

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