Starz’s ‘American Gods’ at Summer TCA: “The Book Is a Map We Stick To”

Fresh off their visit to San Diego Comic-Con, Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, the two showrunners of Starz’s American Gods, did a quick panel at the summer TV Critics Association press tour that was light on story details but they did give some insight into their working process.

Fuller and Green worked together on NBC’s Heroes and from that experience, learned how well they work together. They were eager to team up again on American Gods because they both love Neil Gaiman’s book so much. In adapting the material for television, Fuller noted, “‘Yes and’ is very important in the writers room. You never want someone to stop an idea.”

Both men acknowledged that Gaiman’s book examines religions outside of the world’s three main religions: Christianity, Judaism, and the Muslim religion. Green said, “One of the best things about the book is it discusses religion in an inclusive way, it rewards varied attentions. It’s largely about forgotten myths and things prayed to quietly.” Fuller stressed that both he and Green have respect for religion and the important role it plays in people’s lives.

When talk turned to casting the series, Fuller and Green say they weren’t colorblind because it was crucial to cast non-white actors in the show. Green said, “It had to be culturally literate.” Fuller chimed in, “In order to be true to the book, you had to cast someone who wasn’t white [in the lead role of Shadow.] The book is a map we go by.”

How did Dane Cook wind up in the show? Green said, “How do get someone who can be a really entertaining dick?” To the delight of many fans, Hannibal leading lady Gillian Anderson will also play a role in American Gods. Fuller said of Anderson, “She knows if I’m working on something she’s interested in, the door is always open. She’s very much a collaborator.” Green and Fuller are also very excited about the character of Laura Moon and say that “Seeing Emily Browning in that character, we got to pick up the baton and run with it.”

Both Green and Fuller promise, “Whatever you like in the book, it’ll show up in the series.” Fans should be pleased as the two also said, “Whenever we go to Neil Gaiman, he says ‘thank you, I love it.'”

Look for American Gods to debut on Starz in 2017.

[Photo: Getty Images]