When "American Gods" debuts on Starz in 2017, loyal fans of the book, from which the show is based, will be thrilled to know that the TV adaptation will keep most of the story's elements intact. However, there will also be a few changes that will improve the story's progression on television. So what can viewers expect from the new show?
"American Gods" might be an ambitious series to adapt from book to television, but cable network Starz has full confidence in tapping showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green to oversee its production. They are admittedly big fans of the fantasy novel and understand that they need to retain the book's integrity. It also helps that the author, Neil Gaiman, is on hand to provide them inputs and approve their ideas to change a few things in the story.
One of the biggest changes in "American Gods" from the books to the TV adaptation will involve expanded roles for the women, per TV Guide. Fuller described the novel as basically a road trip featuring two guys and there are little plots devoted to the female characters. However, the role of Laura Moon (Emily Browning) will be much more emphasized in the TV version. In fact, there will be an episode dedicated to just Laura's point of view. The book is told from the point of view of Laura's husband, Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle).
Soooo much fun with these @AmericanGodsSTZ @BruceJLangley @schreiber_pablo @YetideBadaki #IanMcShane #godsfam pic.twitter.com/nkWb2Li2JD
— Ricky Whittle (@MrRickyWhittle) July 26, 2016
Another female character, Bilquis (Yetide Badaki), whose brief but very memorable storyline in the book will be a lot longer in the TV show. Her role will bring some much needed heart in the story and her racy and sexy scenes, which stays true to her character's depiction, will be something to watch out for on "American Gods" on Starz.
Some of the show's diverse characters will also have longer expositions in the TV show compared to the book. For example, Mad Sweeney (Pablo Schreiber) has only a chapter or two in the "American Gods" novel, and he actually dies in the story. But on the TV show, Mad Sweeney's participation will be larger. In fact, if the show eventually earns more seasons, Mad Sweeney's character might not die immediately or could get resurrected, according to Schreiber via Vanity Fair.
"American Gods" will debut in 2017 and has been earmarked for at least two seasons on Starz already. Production is underway in Toronto, Canada.
