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Starz‘s American Gods has “fired but not fired” (as one source puts it) Season 2 showrunner Jesse Alexander in the wake of ongoing production issues, delays and script doctoring being performed by frustrated cast members.
The former Hannibal executive producer had been brought onto the series as co-showrunner in February, to operate alongside American Gods author Neil Gaiman and succeed series co-creators Bryan Fuller and Michael Green (who exited the series last November over “creative differences”). Gaiman, however, has since directed his focus to Amazon’s Good Omens, another adaptation of Gaiman’s work.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Alexander is no longer working on American Gods as showrunner or writer, and he has been asked not to be involved in any areas of production or post-production. Producing director Chris Byrne and line producer Lisa Kussner reportedly have been left to run the show.
Though Alexander had been brought on to reshape the series into something more in keeping with Gaiman’s vision and wishes, THR reports that scripts have been met with derision by Ian McShane and other actors, to the point that cast member Orlando Jones was given a writer credit to avoid running afoul of WGA rules.
Alexander’s first two stabs at a Season 2 finale script were rejected; sources tell THR that a seventh draft is now in the works. With production already six weeks behind, the downtime is being used to fit in reshoots for previous episodes, inflating a Season 2 budget that had been ordered to be smaller than the freshman run’s.
“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,” Starz said in a statement to THR. “We are confident that when the fans get their first look at Season 2 in just a few weeks at New York Comic-Con, they will agree it was worth the wait.”
I’m starting to think that American Gods might get scraped and that is a shame. They did fine work in season 1.
At this point, they’ve invested too much money into it to go back. They should have just left it at one season.
Left it, or realized they need the 2 people that made it what it was. I love the book and it’s great Gaiman is there but it’s clealry not working without Fuller.
Wow. This is such sad news. What they need to do is fire Alexander and coax back Fuller and Green to fix this colossal mess. Fuller and Green made this show AMAZING! I’m scared to see season 2 with all this going on.
They need to give up on this train wreck.
It’s such a beautiful and rare thing to see people so committed to bringing this show back for a second season. There have been problems after problems but Starz will not give up on honouring this amazing story and the fans. Other studios/ networks may have given up but Starz is putting so much creative energy and resilience into this production. I was so impressed with season 1 and have no doubt season 2 will be spectacular. It’s clear the passion and enthusiasm is there and both the books and audience are being valued. The finished product will definitely be worth the immense struggle.
Good job, Stati PR team!
Starz
Amen
Wow, that is some pure PR BS. LOL. It does make you sound like a Starz plant
Well, Starz seems hellbent on unintentionally proving Bryan Fuller right. They should rehire him ASAP.
I swear we aren’t going to get season 2 until 2022.
I understand the financial investment Starz put into American Gods, but after season one ended, it seems like season two is getting road block after road block. I was surprised by how much I liked season one, and was excited for season two, but now not so much.
I am really looking fwrd to this show, season 1 was epic.
Just kill it. It’s done.
Clearly it’s not done. The commitment Starz has shown to this is admirable despite all the roadblocks. They still have faith in the show and so should we. If everyone gave up just because something is hard, nothing would ever be achieved in the world. I hope you don’t just quit things because they might be challenging. It’s no way to live my friend.
Did you even read the article? They aren’t giving up but that is the point. It all sounds like it is crashing and burning, and no matter how you want to spin it, its a disaster in the making. How much does Starz pay you though? Just curious.
Um yeah I read the article… That’s why I commented haha! Sorry for having a different opinion to you! When you get older, you will realise that not everyone thinks the same way.
If there ever will be a season 3, hire back Filler and Greene.
I know, Fuller can be a bit of a baby when he doesn’t get his way, but for the love of gods, just hire him back, give him two full seasons, GET OUT OF HIS WAY and then call it a day. Everybody goes home “happy”.
but for the love of American Gods. Why does Bryan Fuller seem so flaky? I think it is important for his vision in season 2. I doubt it will be as epic nor as visually stunning without him. Did Gillian Anderson leave because Fuller left? Her performances in the first season knocked it out if the park, more than any other character on the show.
Anderson left because Fuller left.
Yes, Gillian Anderson left because Fuller left, which is a shame because she really brought her scenes to another level. However, they are replacing (morphing?) her character with a new Media, one that represents more of social media, which I think will be fascinating to watch. I loved season 1 and realize a large part of that is due to Fuller’s vision, but don’t really understand Fuller’s flakiness as a showrunner. He may very well have good reasons to abandon his shows like he has, but good God man, just pick a project and stick with it for awhile! Regardless, Gods still has amazing talent attached to it and even without Fuller we’re still left with an incredible cast, premium channel budget, and award-winning book (and its author) to pull from. I feel like many have done a lot more with a lot less, so I’m staying positive about what’s to come and hoping for the best.
Yea, even I am fed up with Fullers’ constant non-starter show announcements. But he has always had issues with “interference” from above. If anyone should abandon broadcast/cable it should be him. But now he is so damaged goods that even streaming won’t touch him. He’s a lot like Terry Gilliam that way, a mad genius that no one can work with. You just have to throw money at him and accept the results/product as is. Unfortunately that is a big ask nowadays.
Well, now I know what one of the cast meant when they posted on IG about unchecked egos on AG
I just knew season 2 would be a disaster after the Bryan Fuller fiasco! Starz should just cancel it now to save face.
I honestly thought the first season was terrible. They should just cancel it. Ian McShane is too good an actor to be stuck on such a lousy show.