‘American Gods’: Ian McShane Says Ricky Whittle Got Most Difficult Role As Shadow Moon

"American Gods" is going to be a new groundbreaking show on Starz, according to cast Ian McShane. The actor teased some details about the series and revealed why co-star Ricky Whittle has the most difficult role in the show.

McShane and Whittle were at the Contenders Emmys panel on Sunday to talk about the show. McShane sounded optimistic when he said that "American Gods" is going to be a "groundbreaking" and "game-changing" show in Starz. The actor teased that viewers, especially Neil Gaiman fans, are up for a surprise when they watch the TV adaptation of the novel. "Nothing is as it seems - ever," McShane told Deadline.

McShane also revealed how the story in "American Gods" unfolds. He said the show is told through Shadow Moon. He becomes the eyes of the viewers. This is why he said his co-star, the British actor Whittle, has the most difficult role in the show.

Regardless, McShane said viewers start to see the story through Shadow Moon in the later episodes. The first three episodes of "American Gods" is a buddy road movie, which could see McShane's character, Mr. Wednesday, journey with Whittle's Shadow Moon.

In the same panel, Whittle also talked about the struggles he faced portraying Shadow Moon in "American Gods." He said the role came with "great pressure" since he had to consider what avid fans would think of his portrayal. "Sixteen years' worth of fandom craving an adaptation, so you felt the pressure to deliver what they have imagined," Whittle told the publication.

However, "American Gods" has a different take on Shadow Moon. Whittle portrays the vocal instead of the stoic character. Likewise, according to Indiewire, the show does not open with an exploration of the mythical elements as in the book. Regardless, the show preserves much of the book's content.

"American Gods" also stars Emily Browning as Shadow Moon's wife Laura, Crispin Glover and Gillian Anderson, to name a few. The show premieres on Starz on April 30 at 9:00 p.m.