'Ray Donovan' Actor Ian McShane Lands Mr. Wednesday Role In Starz's 'American Gods' Cast

The upcoming Starz live-action adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods has just found the perfect Mr. Wednesday in Ian McShane. The Rat Dononvan star has just been confirmed to take on the lead role opposite The 100 actor Ricky Whittle, who will play Shadow Moon!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, McShane will portray the mysterious stranger who offers an ex-convict (Whittle) a job while they are on a plane. However, the simple gig as an old man's bodyguard turns out to be more complicated than usual, as Mr. Wednesday turns out to be the Norse god Odin. He's getting ready for a war between the old and new gods.

The casting of McShane as one of Gaiman's most memorable book characters has been well-received by fans of the author's works. Some fans believe that there couldn't be a more perfect actor for the role, since Mr. Wednesday is a charismatic figure who uses his charm and a few tricks to have his way with people. However, there is no one happier than Gaiman himself, who released a statement about McShane's casting.

"When you write a beloved character (beloved with, or despite, or because of all his faults) like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the Internet trying to cast the role. I've seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does," the author wrote, adding that he felt lucky when McShane provided the voice for Mr. Bobinsky in Coraline.

"Now I count myself even luckier: he's made the journey from Lovejoy to American Gods," Gaiman wrote.

Ian McShane to Star in #AmericanGods for Starz, @BryanFuller, @neilhimself https://t.co/ihvgZSabik pic.twitter.com/JAGtbnYqzT

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 2, 2016

Mr. Wednesday will not be the first book character that McShane will bring to life on TV. The Deadwood actor has previously been confirmed to appear in a mystery role in the sixth season of Game of Thrones.

Catch McShane on Game of Thrones Season 6, which airs on HBO on April 24. American Gods is expected to air on Starz next year.