The first season of American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name, was broadcast on Starz between April 30, 2017, and June 18, 2017, and consisted of eight episodes. Bryan Fuller and Michael Green adapted the first season, serving as showrunners, and production began in March 2016 after the series was officially greenlit in March 2015. The season stars Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning, Crispin Glover, Bruce Langley, Yetide Badaki, Pablo Schreiber and Ian McShane.
The season follows Shadow Moon after he's released from prison following the death of his wife, when he meets Mr. Wednesday, an Old God who is in the midst of a war between the Old Gods, the gods from ancient mythology, and the New Gods, the gods of society, technology, and globalization. The season received positive reviews from critics.
Cast and characters
Main
Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon, a former convict who becomes Mr. Wednesday's bodyguard. Emily Browning as Laura Moon, Shadow Moon's wife and a revenant. Browning also portrays Essie MacGowan, the Irish woman whose belief in leprechauns changes the course of her life. Crispin Glover as Mr. World, the New God of globalization and the leader of the New Gods. Bruce Langley as the Technical Boy, the New God of technology. Yetide Badaki as Bilquis, a goddess of love, identified with the Queen of Sheba. Pablo Schreiber as Mad Sweeney, a leprechaun in the employ of Mr. Wednesday who has trouble coming to terms with his lost charm. Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday, a con artist and the god Odin.
Recurring
Gillian Anderson as the New Goddess Media, the public face and "mouthpiece" of the New Gods. She appears in the form of famous personalities, including Lucy Ricardo, Marilyn Monroe, David Bowie and Judy Garland. After Anderson's departure from the series, for the second season the role was redefined and renamed as New Media, played by South Korean actress Kahyun Kim (see below). Cloris Leachman as Zorya Vechernyaya, "the Evening Star", the eldest of three sisters who watch the stars to guard against forgotten horrors. Peter Stormare as Czernobog, Slavic god of darkness, death and evil who suspects Mr. Wednesday's motives and is reluctant to lend his aid. Chris Obi as Mr. Jacquel, the Egyptian God of the dead, Anubis. Mousa Kraish as the Jinn, a mythic being of fire who, fearing for his safety, considers fleeing the United States. Omid Abtahi as Salim, a foreigner who is "one half of a pair of star-crossed lovers". He has a sexual encounter with the Jinn, disguised then as a cab driver. Orlando Jones as Mr. Nancy, the Ghanaian trickster god Anansi. He works as a tailor. Demore Barnes as Mr. Ibis, the keeper of stories past and present, the Egyptian god Thoth. Betty Gilpin as Audrey, Robbie's wife and Laura's best friend. Beth Grant as Jack, the owner of the bar where Shadow meets Mr. Wednesday.
Guests
Jonathan Tucker as Low Key Lyesmith, a friend of Shadow from prison. Martha Kelly as Zorya Utrennyaya, "the Morning Star", the middle silent sister of the Zorya. Erika Kaar as Zorya Polunochnaya, "the Midnight Star", the youngest of the Zorya sisters who sleeps during the day and only appears late at night. She guides Shadow and sets him on his path. Dane Cook as Robbie, Shadow's best friend. Kristin Chenoweth as Easter, Germanic goddess of the dawn. Corbin Bernsen as Vulcan, who has renewed himself by binding himself to guns and those who worship them. Jeremy Davies as Jesus Prime, one of many versions to appear at the home of Easter. Conphidance as Okoye, a scarred slave who leads a revolt.
Episodes
Production
Development
In February 2014, Fremantle Media acquired the rights to adapt the novel as a fantasy drama series. In July 2014, it was announced that Starz would be developing the series with Bryan Fuller and Michael Green. Fuller stated that the series would be "[following] the events of the books but expanding those events, and expanding the point of view to go above and beyond Shadow and Wednesday". Permission has been given for the series to incorporate elements from the book's companion, Anansi Boys. Fuller also confirmed that Gaiman is "very involved" with the production and expressed his hope that Gaiman would write an episode himself.
On June 16, 2015, Starz officially announced that it had greenlit the series. Showrunner Bryan Fuller estimated in May 2015 that the show would likely air in "late 2016"; however, it premiered in April 2017, and the first season consisted of eight episodes. The first season was initially set to consist of ten episodes.