Old Gods

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

These gods arrived in America through centuries of immigration, settling into the landscape where they were once sustained by the hopes and fears of their followers. For generations, they thrived in small towns and rural areas where tradition held sway over daily life. However, as modernity advanced, belief shifted toward concepts like technology, science, and celebrity. The Old Gods began to starve, losing their immortality and influence, often appearing now as eccentric strangers or failing business owners. They secretly maintain ancient rituals in the dark, operating from roadside diners and forgotten shrines. The conflict with the New Gods is a struggle for existence; Mr. Wednesday attempts to unite them to defend their lives and rebuild lost influence, leaving characters like Shadow Moon struggling to accept this new world where magic remains real.

In Their Own Story

The narrative follows Shadow Moon, released from prison only days after learning of his wife's death in a car accident. Delayed on his trip home, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who repeatedly offers him a job. Shadow refuses until Wednesday reveals that the job waiting for him at home no longer exists, prompting Shadow to accept the role of minder. This partnership thrusts Shadow into a hidden world where magic is real and a collection of Old Gods fear irrelevance. He finds himself embroiled in a large-scale conflict between these ancient beings and the New Gods, who grow stronger each day. As Wednesday attempts to unite the Old Gods to combat this threat, Shadow struggles to accept his place in this grand plan designed to restore their lost influence.

Reader's Guide

The Old Gods constitute a fractured alliance of deities from every corner of the earth who arrived in America with waves of immigrants. Their primary goal is survival, as their power directly correlates to the faith offered by humans; without belief, they fade into nothingness. Led strategically by Mr. Wednesday, identified as the god Odin and a con artist, members include figures like Anansi (the Ghanaian trickster god), Bilquis (a goddess of love identified with the Queen of Sheba), and Czernobog (Slavic god of darkness). Other key figures include Thoth (Demore Barnes) and Kali (Sakina Jaffrey). In the central conflict, they stand against the New Gods of technology, media, and science. While often outmatched in raw modern influence, their ancient magic makes them dangerous opponents as they plot their resurgence from the shadows.

Did You Know?

• Ian McShane was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the 8th Critics' Choice Television Awards.
• The series premiered on April 30, 2017, and was canceled after three seasons in March 2021.
• Bryan Fuller and Michael Green were showrunners for the first season, with Jesse Alexander serving as co-showrunner alongside them; after Fuller and Green departed, Alexander served as the sole showrunner for season 2.
• Emily Browning portrays two distinct characters: Shadow Moon's wife Laura and Essie MacGowan, an Irish woman linked to leprechauns.

Production History and Leadership

The fantasy drama series is based on Neil Gaiman's 2001 novel and was developed by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green for Starz. Produced by Fremantle North America and distributed by Lionsgate Television, the first season premiered on April 30, 2017. Fuller and Green served as showrunners for this initial run before being replaced by Jesse Alexander for the second season, which premiered on March 10, 2019. Charles H. Eglee served as showrunner for the third season, which began on January 10, 2021. Gaiman served as an executive producer throughout the production. In May 2017, the series was renewed for a second season, and the following week, Starz renewed it for the third. The series was canceled in March 2021 after three seasons.

Narrative Premise and Mythic Conflict

The story centers on Shadow Moon, who meets Mr. Wednesday after being released from prison. Shadow becomes embroiled in a large-scale conflict between the Old Gods and the New Gods, who grow stronger each day. The Old Gods fear irrelevance as they face the rising power of entities representing Technology and Media. Mr. Wednesday attempts to unite the Old Gods to defend their existence and rebuild lost influence. This grand plan leaves Shadow struggling to accept this new world where magic is real and his place within it. The conflict involves a collection of Old Gods against New Gods, with specific deities like Technical Boy and Mr. World leading the opposition.

Ensemble Cast and Divine Personas

Ricky Whittle plays the lead role of Shadow Moon. Ian McShane portrays Mr. Wednesday, the god Odin and a con artist. Emily Browning appears as Laura Moon, a revenant, and also portrays Essie MacGowan, an Irish woman whose belief in leprechauns changes her life. Pablo Schreiber plays Mad Sweeney, a leprechaun in Mr. Wednesday's employ who struggles with losing his charm. Crispin Glover stars as Mr. World, the New God of Globalization and leader of the New Gods. Bruce Langley portrays Technical Boy/Quantum Boy, the New God of Technology. Yetide Badaki plays Bilquis, a goddess of love identified with the Queen of Sheba. Orlando Jones appears as Mr. Nancy (season 2 main; season 1 recurring), the trickster god Anansi. Mousa Kraish is the Jinn, and Omid Abtahi plays Salim. Demore Barnes portrays Mr. Ibis, the Egyptian god Thoth. Ashley Reyes joins in season 3 as Cordelia.

Critical Reception and Industry Recognition

The series, mainly the first season, received praise for its visual style and acting. It earned two nominations at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Special Visual Effects. Additionally, it received three nominations at the 8th Critics' Choice Television Awards. These included a nomination for Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series for Ian McShane, and Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Gillian Anderson.