Following a successful first season run of American Gods, the US network Starz was quick to confirm that it had a second season of the show ordered. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman, it seemed logical to press ahead with more episodes.
But it’s been a pretty bumpy time since. Showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green both left the production. And since then, ones of its stars, Gillian Anderson, has also announced that she won’t be back for more episodes. Furthermore, in an ideal world, season two would have started filming by now, but there’s little sign of it going before the cameras anytime soon.
Starz CEO Chris Albrecht has been addressing the problems with getting season two moving in a new chat with Collider. And he admitted that “we’re having some trouble getting the second season underway”.
He added that “it’s an incredibly difficult adaptation of a fantastic novel, and it’s one of the reason that it took so long to get it to screen in the first place”.
How will it go ahead now, then? Potentially, with Fuller and Green still involved. “Bryan and Michael, working with Neil Gaiman have done a phenomenal job, and our partners Fremantle are working out with Bryan and Michael and their schedules, a way for them to continue to be involved”.
Albrecht then added that “Neil Gaiman will be taking more of a central role and moving forward into a more traditional showrunner function”.
Not so, though, says Gaiman, who Tweeted the following in response to that:
I’m already showrunning GOOD OMENS and I won’t be physically showrunning two shows. But I plan to work really closely with the new showrunner, and to help plot and guide and build American Gods, just as I did when Bryan & Michael came on as showrunners.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) January 12, 2018
Starz is keen for more episodes, but it’s clear that there’s still some work to go before American Gods can push forward with season two. And a bit of confusion still to sort out. When the new showrunner for the programme is announced, we’ll let you know.