Ian McShane to star in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods for Starz

Ian McShane is your new Mr. Wednesday.

McShane, a veteran of DEADWOOD, AMERICAN HORROR STORY and soon-to-be GAME OF THRONES, has signed on to star in Starz’ adaptation of Neil Gaiman‘s fantasy novel AMERICAN GODS. Playing the central character of Mr. Wednesday, the powerful and charismatic conman, McShane will be traveling across the country as one of the old gods, seeking to rally a group of elder deities who are up to the challenge of battling some young whipper-snappers of the godly design.

Gaiman’s novel sets up a war between the traditional gods of biblical and mythological proportions who are slowly losing their grip of power as their believers begin dwindling, choosing to worship at the altars of modern gods who better reflect society, be it as some sort of representation of money, tech, media, celebrity and/or drugs.

McShane has been tremendous on the small screen, going back to his role as Al Swearengen on HBO’s DEADWOOD, but he never was able to translate that into any real sort of big-screen success. His role as Blackbeard in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES is about as high profile as he managed to get, but he doesn’t have a continuing role in the future of the franchise. Therefore, it’s nice to have him back in such a major part on television as he is an exceptional cornerstone for any series to have.