‘American Gods’ Season 2 Gets A New Showrunner

The future just got a little bit brighter for fans of American Gods, as a new showrunner has been announced for the Starz series. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Jesse Alexander, alongside author Neil Gaiman, will serve as showrunner for Season 2.

“I’m thrilled that Jesse is [the] showrunner. He loves and understands the book, he loves and understands the TV series and he’s dedicated to making future seasons of American Gods as good and as beautiful and as unique as they can be,” Gaiman shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “Shadow’s journey is going to take him, and Mr. Wednesday, and the New Gods and the Old, to some very strange places. I’m glad that we, and the cast and crew, will have Jesse shepherding us on the way.”

Alexander previously worked on Hannibal and Star Trek: Discovery alongside Bryan Fuller, who had helped develop the novel into the series with Michael Green.

The creative direction of the series was teased last month when Starz CEO Chris Albrecht revealed that Gaiman would be taking a more integral role in its development.

“Neil Gaiman will be taking more of a central role and moving forward into a more traditional showrunner function,” Albrecht shared at the Television Critics Association press event. “And we’re looking for a partner for him who can ensure that the television part of this gets appropriate attention.”

The CEO didn’t directly declare Gaiman would be the showrunner, possibly because he wanted to ensure the author was partnered with someone who had more direct experience in the TV arena. Alexander’s attachment seems to be the decision Starz had hoped to make, as he has the experience to support the show with Gaiman.

At the press event, Albrecht played coy about Fuller and Green’s departure, avoiding acknowledging their sudden abandonment of the series they brought to life.

“They were not fired nor did they quit,” Albrecht noted.

At the time of the press event, the fate of the series seemed uncertain, despite the CEO promising, “We’re hoping for many more American Gods to appear on Starz.”

Given the amount of time that has elapsed since the first season, many have thought this hints at the series’ demise, with Albrecht addressing the delay.

“It’s not ideal to have 18 months or two years between seasons,” Albrecht explained. “It’s not an inexpensive show. Budget is always a factor. There needs [to be] a vision that can be executed on a regular basis.”

Stay tuned for details on American Gods.

[H/T The Hollywood Reporter]