FreeMantleMedia North America have announced that Ricky Whittle will star in the upcoming American Gods series, being cast as main character Shadow Moon. Shooting for the series, which is based on Neil Gaimans award winning novel, begins in April. The series focuses on the idea that mythical gods and creatures exist in the world due to the publics beliefs. The gods arrive in America, and grow in strength through increased belief. Whittle will play Shadow, a former convict who finds himself alone in the world. Forced to turn to mysterious conman, Mr Wednesday, he comes to realise he is an incarnation of the Old Norse god Odin. The Oldham born actor will have to get used to fighting old and new gods, rather than Jorgie Porter and Jamie Lomas. The role comes as a drastic change to his previous work, with the assumption that many AG readers haven't seen Whittle in Dream Team, Hollyoaks or Single Ladies. TV shows that focus more on relationships and drama than mythical creatures. Nonetheless, Gaiman has expressed his delight at the 34-year-olds appointment, saying: Im thrilled that Ricky has been cast as Shadow. His auditions were remarkable. American Gods is, at its heart, a book about immigrants, and it seems perfectly appropriate that Shadow will be coming to America. As a runner-up of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, he seems to have waltzed into Bryan Fuller and Michael Greens good books, who are equally as pleased with Whittle. We searched every continent and country and all the islands in between for our Shadow Moon, and we are lucky to have found Ricky, said the writers and showrunners. With shooting starting in April, the series is expected to debut in 2018.
