‘American Gods’ Sets Pablo Schreiber to Replace Sean Harris as Mad Sweeney
Starz and Bryan Fuller’s American Gods suffered a minor setback with Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation star Sean Harris abdicating the role of Leprechaun “Mad Sweeney,” but now locks down a notable Orange is the New Black star to replace him. Pablo Schreiber has ascended to godhood, joining Starz’ new Neil Gaiman drama in a pivotal role.
Per Deadline, former The Brink star Schreiber replaces Harris following the actor’s exit over personal reasons. The role of Mad Sweeney is described as a down on his luck leprechaun, 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 (Ian McShane).
In addition to Crispin Glover as Mr. World, Jonathan Tucker as Low-Key Lyesmith, Yetide Badaki as Bilquis and Bruce Langley as “Technical Boy,” Gods features The 100 star Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon, Ian McShane as Mr. Wednedsay and Emily Browning as Shadow’s wife Laura Moon.
For those unfamiliar with Sandman creator Neil Gaiman’s novel, American Gods follows ex-convict Shadow Moon, who partners up with mysterious con-man Mr. Wednesday (secretly a god himself), becoming embroiled in a battle between classic mythological gods who have fallen out of style, and the “new” American gods based on greed, technology and celebrity.
Hannibal creator Fuller and Heroes alum Michael Green will write and and showrun the series, with Gaiman acting as EP (and writing a few episodes), produced by FremantleMedia North America. As with Hannibal, David Slade will also direct episodes (including the pilot), as well as produce.
We’ll hear plenty more in the coming months, but what other changes might we expect from Starz and Fuller’s adaptation of American Gods?