Starz’s ‘American Gods’ Adds ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Masters of Sex’ Grads

Sean Harris, Yetide Badaki and Bruce Langley have signed on for the adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel. Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Sean Harris, Yetide Badaki and Bruce Langley have signed on for the adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel.

Starz's American Gods is rounding out its cast.

Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation), Yetide Badaki (Masters of Sex) and Bruce Langley (Deadly Waters) have all signed on for series regular roles in the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The drama centers on a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of biblical and mythological roots from around the world steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Its protagonist, Shadow Moon (The 100's Ricky Whittle), is an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday, a con man but in reality one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation for a battle with the new deities.  

Harris will play Mad Sweeney, a down on his luck leprechaun who is having a hard time understanding how he lost his charm and way. Always up for a good fight, Sweeney is never deprived while in the employment of Mr. Wednesday. A BAFTA winner, Harris' credits also include Prometheus and The Borgias. He is repped by Troika.

Badaki is set as Bilquis, an ancient goddess of love who craves the worship she inspired in eras long gone, and who is eager to find that same relevance in today’s world. The actress, whose credits also include NCIS: New Orleans and Criminal Minds, is repped by Innovative Artists and MadCatch Entertainment. 

Langley will portray Technical Boy, a New God who is purveyor of all things technology. Desperate to prove himself, and hungry for respect and power, he struggles to keep his impulsivity and petulance in check, making him dangerously unpredictable. This marks the first TV role for Langley, who is repped by D2 management and A&J.

The trio join a cast that also includes Ian McShane and Emily Browning.

Production on the series from FremantleMedia North America will begin in April. Bryan Fuller (Hannibal) and Michael Green (The River) will pen the script and serve as showrunners. David Slade will direct the pilot and additional episodes. FMNA's Craig Cegielski and Stefanie Berk will executive produce alongside Fuller, Green, Slade and Gaiman. Starz senior vps original programming Marta Fernandez and Ken Segna will oversee for the network.

Starz

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