Ian McShane joins Starz’s Neil Gaiman series ‘American Gods’

Acclaimed British actor Ian McShane has joined the cast of Starz’s highly anticipated series American Gods, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman.

McShane will star as Mr. Wednesday, a con man who has grand plans and knows some mysterious magic. His bodyguard is ex-con Shadow Moon, who will be played by The 100’s Ricky Whittle.

“Actor. Icon. And now god,” showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green said in a statement. “It is a goddamn delight to be collaborating with the incomparable Ian McShane -- again and for the first time -- on a story about faith and belief, with the utmost faith and belief in Mr. McShane as our Mr. Wednesday. A wonderful Wednesday indeed.”

Gaiman was also delighted to have McShane in the role. The actor previously worked with Gaiman on the animated film adaptation of Coraline in 2009.

McShane is best known for his Golden Globe-winning role of Al Swearengen on Deadwood and as Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He is also set to appear on season six of Game of Thrones. He’s also appeared in Ray Donovan, American Horror Story and The West Wing.

Starz finally gave American Gods the greenlight in June 2015. The 2001 novel is about a war between gods based on mythology and new gods based on modern obsessions. Production starts next month.