American Gods (season 3)

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American Gods
Season 3
File:American Gods Season 3.jpg
Promotional poster
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkStarz
Original releaseJanuary 10 (2021-01-10) –
March 21, 2021 (2021-03-21)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
List of episodes

The third and final season of American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name, was broadcast on Starz between January 10 and March 21, 2021, and consisted of ten episodes. Charles H. Eglee adapted the third season, serving as the showrunner after the departure of second-season showrunner Jesse Alexander and original series creators Bryan Fuller and Michael Green after the first season. The season was officially greenlit in March 2019 and production began in October 2019.

The season stars Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning, Yetide Badaki, Crispin Glover, Bruce Langley, Omid Abtahi, Demore Barnes and Ian McShane, who all return from the previous season, while Ashley Reyes joins the main cast.

The third season follows Shadow Moon as he moves to Lakeside, Wisconsin under a new name to hide from the New Gods.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon / Mike Ainsel, a former convict who became Mr. Wednesday's bodyguard, but left the job after discovering he is Wednesday's estranged son.[1]
  • Emily Browning as Laura Moon, Shadow Moon's wife and a revenant.[1]
  • Yetide Badaki as Bilquis, a goddess of love, identified with the Queen of Sheba.[1]
  • Bruce Langley as Technical Boy, a New God of Technology who in 1893 had been a failed inventor.[1]
  • Omid Abtahi as Salim, an emerging gay Muslim man from Oman who moved to the U.S. and fell in love with a djinn.[1]
  • Ashley Reyes as Cordelia, a rebellious and tech savvy college dropout who works for Mr. Wednesday as his protégée, driver, and technology assistant.[2]
  • Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday, the war-mongering Norse god Odin incarnated as a con artist.[1]
  • Demore Barnes as Mr. Ibis, the keeper of stories past and present, scribe to Old Gods. Egyptian god Thoth.[1]
  • Crispin Glover as Mr. World, the New God of globalization and the vicious leader of the New Gods.[3][4]

Recurring

Guests

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
171"A Winter's Tale"Jon AmielDavid Paul FrancisJanuary 10, 2021 (2021-01-10)0.209[10]
Three months have passed since Shadow discovered Wednesday is his father. Wednesday begins working with a viking themed death rocker named Johan, in order to source more worshipers. Mr. World changes form and becomes Ms World, running a major tech project called Shard to influence global control. Frustrated by Wednesday's connection to Jonah, she chastises Technical Boy for his various failures. As a result, Technical Boy makes contact with Bilquis, though she refuses to take a side and inadvertently causes Technical Boy to have a vision of himself being shot to death. Laura attempts to resurrect the corpse of Mad Sweeney, but accidentally disintegrates herself. Shadow attempts to live normally as Mike Ainsel. This is shattered when Wednesday makes contact and requests Shadow's presence to meet with local Native American God, Whiskey Jack. Shadow is forced back into service when a work promotion tips off government agents. Realizing they are about to be attacked by the agents, Wednesday uses his powers to allow Shadow and himself to flee into an alternate world. Whiskey Jack declines to support Wednesday but gives a prophecy that Shadow has a critical, though unknown role in the war. Wednesday introduces Shadow to his new fiance, a young woman named Cordelia. Wednesday urges Shadow to take shelter in the town of Lakeside though, suspicious of this, Shadow refuses. He later finds every other bus has been cancelled, leaving Lakeside his only option. Arriving in the town late at night, Shadow meets Ann-Marie Hinzelmann, a friendly local store owner, and Chad Mulligan, a police officer, who drives Shadow to his new apartment. Breaking his key on the lock, Shadow attempts to enter through a back-door, but finds a shotgun placed on his back.
182"Serious Moonlight"Julian HolmesMoises VerneauJanuary 17, 2021 (2021-01-17)0.185[11]
In 1609, a Native American girl is killed by foreigners as a tribute to Odin to prevent a deadly storm. Defusing a mistaken break in, Shadow meets his neighbor Marguerite Olsen. He is later given a tour of the town by Hinzelmann, who explains the town history and rituals. Shadow further connects with Chad, who helps provide a car owned by Marguerite. Bilquis consumes a would-be predator, but becomes sick afterwards. Salim meets with Mr. Ibis to seek knowledge of the Jinn's whereabouts, suspecting Wednesday's actions. Wednesday goes to visit Tyr, the Norse God of war, who now works as a dentist, and finds out Tyr has kept contact with a former lover of Wednesday's named Demeter. Shadow attends the funeral for Zorya Vechernyaya. Wednesday crashes the funeral and rallies those attending to take vengeance. Following her instructions, Shadow brings the silver coin to Zorya Polunochnaya, who places it back in the sky. Cordelia and Shadow connect over their shared history with Wednesday. Returning to Lakeside, Shadow discovered that a young woman named Alison has gone missing, and he is considered the suspect, though Chad tentatively clears him by checking his alibis
193"Ashes and Demons"Thomas CarterAnne KenneyJanuary 24, 2021 (2021-01-24)0.160[12]
In 1765, a farmer woman performs a sacrificial ritual to Demeter and is rewarded with a fresh harvest. In the present, members of Jonah's band turn up murdered, while Wednesday prepares to meet with Demeter by securing a suitable gift. Living as a patient in a mental health facility, Demeter reacts with anger at seeing Wednesday. Producing a marriage certificate, Wednesday attempts to get her released, though Demeter states she is happy in the facility, as she is being worshiped by fellow patients. She does however express temptation at Wednesday's efforts. Laura arrives in purgatory and is met by bureaucratic waiting. Confronting visions of her past, she eventually accepts that she was not responsible for everything bad in her life, and is granted passage back to living. Bilquis, still feeling the after-effects of her last victim, is confronted by an unknown figure. Shadow helps the search for Alison, though no leads can be located. Returning home, Shadow bonds with Marguerite and meets her younger son. Gifted a historical journal of Lakeside, he learns that Marguerite's eldest son went missing under similar circumstances to Alison. Following a nightmare, Shadow is compelled to visit Bilquis and discovers Technical Boy in her home covered in blood.
204"The Unseen"Eva SørhaugNick GillieJanuary 31, 2021 (2021-01-31)0.204[13]
Mr. Ibis tells the story of slaves who bring their African gods with them to the new land of America. Denying knowledge of what happened to her, Technical Boy teams up with a reluctant Shadow to find Bilquis, with Technical Boy ultimately seeking answers to glitches that begun due to Bilquis. Finding clues in the apartment, they follow a trail to the daughter of Bilquis' most recent victim, who they suspect arranged a violent kidnapping. Reverting to his original form, Mr. World goes to meet with a captive Bilquis, piecing together that her victim was needed for the Shard project. Using a disguise, Mr. World implores her captors to execute Bilquis. Experiencing visions of her past, Bilquis realizes she is connected to other African Gods. Seeking to free Demeter, Wednesday and Cordelia dig into the financial records of the head of the facility. Visiting a viking themed bar, Wednesday meets Johan, who is grieving the loss of his band mates. Wednesday suggests that Jonah move on from his grief and immediately form a new band to gain more worshipers. Enraged by this, Johan instead blows up the bar, killing all the humans inside and requiring a seemingly delirious Wednesday to be hospitalized. Laura returns to the living, finding that she is no longer reliant on Sweeney's coin to survive but that Sweeney's corpse has been cremated. Carrying his ashes, Laura sets out on her new journey.
215"Sister Rising"Nick CopusDamian KindlerFebruary 14, 2021 (2021-02-14)0.123[14]
At the Chicago's World Fair of 1893, a struggling inventor with the same appearance as Technical Boy presents an early robotic creation to apathetic response. Feeling jealous, a magician named Maximilian suggests the inventor add more flash to the presentation. The inventor simulates functionality of the robot that aren't possible, but the magician gleefully exposes the fraud to a crowd and then steals the audience for his own show. In the present, an imprisoned Bilquis has a spiritual awakening, learning that she no longer needs to consume worshipers for power. Drawing on new abilities, Bilquis frees herself from captivity. Shadow and Technical Boy run into her while they were attempting to rescue her, with Technical Boy fleeing in fear. Bilquis expresses her gratitude at the effort Shadow made and the two of them connect over dinner. Wednesday is placed as a patient in the same facility as Demeter. Shadow goes to meet him, and Wednesday reveals he has arranged an elaborate con to free Demeter. Agreeing to partner with Cordelia, Shadow organizes a heist to steal the hard drive of the head of the facility. Upon success, the pair use blackmail to secure the release of Demeter in two days time. Wednesday decides to use this time to convince Demeter to leave of her own free will, desiring her support for the war. Laura goes to meet with Ibis and Salim. Convincing Salim to go with her, the pair venture out to seek vengeance upon Wednesday. Technical Boy, still undergoing painful glitches seeks shelter in a lair that contains the 1893 robot. Returning to Lakeside, Shadow encounters Laura.
226"Conscience of the King"Mark TinkerAric AvelinoFebruary 21, 2021 (2021-02-21)0.197[15]
237"Fire and Ice"Rachel GoldbergAnne Kenney & David Paul FrancisFebruary 28, 2021 (2021-02-28)0.180[16]
248"The Rapture of Burning"Tim SouthamHolly MoyerMarch 7, 2021 (2021-03-07)0.110[17]
259"The Lake Effect"Metin HüseyinLaura Pusey & Damian KindlerMarch 14, 2021 (2021-03-14)0.153[18]
2610"Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree"Russell FineLaura Pusey & Ryan SpencerMarch 21, 2021 (2021-03-21)0.182[19]

Production

Development

The series was renewed for a third season by Starz on March 15, 2019, and it was confirmed that Charles H. Eglee would serve as showrunner for the third season replacing Jesse Alexander.[20] The season consisted of ten episodes,[21] Alongside Eglee, the season is executive produced by Neil Gaiman, Anne Kenney, Damian Kindler, David Paul Francis, Mark Tinker, Ian McShane, Craig Cegielski, and Stefanie Berk.[3] In March 2021, after the season had finished airing, Starz announced it had canceled the series.[22]

Filming

The season was scheduled to film between September 20, 2019, and March 6, 2020.[23] Production began in October 2019 in Toronto.[3][24]

Casting

The third season features several new actors in recurring roles. In September 2019, Marilyn Manson and Blythe Danner were cast in recurring roles.[7][8] In October, Ashley Reyes joined as a series regular, while Herizen Guardiola, Lela Loren, Dominique Jackson, and Eric Johnson joined in recurring roles.[2][5][1] In November, Danny Trejo, Julia Sweeney, and Wale joined the guest cast;[6] while in December, Iwan Rheon was added to the cast.[9] It was reported that Crispin Glover would return in a guest role.[25]

The third season also sees several cast changes, including the departure of Pablo Schreiber as Mad Sweeney at the end of the previous season.[9] In December 2019, Orlando Jones stated that he had been fired from the series in September and alleged that new showrunner Charles Eglee decided his character, Mr. Nancy, sends "the wrong message for black America".[26] In response, a spokesperson for the series stated that Jones' contract was not renewed because his character Mr. Nancy is not included in the book material on which the season 3 episodes are based.[27] Also in December, Mousa Kraish announced that he would also not appear in the third season.[28]

On February 1, 2021, Manson was removed from the cast following abuse allegations against him. Manson's scenes from his final episode, "Sister Rising", were removed.[29]

Release

The third season of American Gods premiered in the United States on January 10, 2021,[30] with weekly international distribution beginning from January 11 via Amazon Prime.[31]

Reception

Critical response

The third season received positive reviews from critics, who called it an improvement over its predecessor. Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 79% rating with an average score of 6.90 out of 10 based on 19 reviews, with the critical consensus stating, "Though it's unlikely to bring anyone back into the fold, American Gods' tighter focus and strong performances may be enough for fans still holding out hope for a solid finish."[32]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of American Gods
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)
1 "A Winter's Tale" January 10, 2021 0.04 0.209[10]
2 "Serious Moonlight" January 17, 2021 0.05 0.185[11]
3 "Ashes and Demons" January 24, 2021 0.05 0.160[12]
4 "The Unseen" January 31, 2021 0.02 0.204[13]
5 "Sister Rising" February 14, 2021 0.03 0.123[14]
6 "Conscience of the King" February 21, 2021 0.05 0.197[15]
7 "Fire and Ice" February 28, 2021 0.03 0.180[16]
8 "The Rapture of Burning" March 7, 2021 0.02 0.110[17]
9 "The Lake Effect" March 14, 2021 0.03 0.153[18]
10 "Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree" March 21, 2021 0.03 0.182[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Romano, Nick (October 9, 2019). "American Gods season 3 drops first photo, adds Pose and Fifty Shades stars". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 7, 2019). "'American Gods' Adds Ashley Reyes As Series Regular, Herizen Guardiola To Recur". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Season 3 of American Gods starts production". Fremantle. October 9, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b White, Peter (9 October 2020). "American Gods: Starz unveils trailer for season 3". Deadline. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b Petski, Denise (October 23, 2019). "'American Gods': Lela Loren To Recur On Season 3 Of Starz Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d Romano, Nick (November 21, 2019). "Danny Trejo joins American Gods season 3 with Julia Sweeney, rapper Wale". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Patten, Dominic (September 17, 2019). "'American Gods' Adds Marilyn Manson For Season 3 Role On Starz Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Pedersen, Erik (September 24, 2019). "'American Gods': Blythe Danner Joins Season 3 Of Starz Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Swift, Andy (December 4, 2019). "American Gods Adds Game of Thrones Baddie as New Leprechaun Liam Doyle". TVLine. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 12, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.10.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 20, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.17.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 26, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.24.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 2, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.31.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 17, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.14.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 23, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.21.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 2, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.28.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 9, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.7.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 16, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.14.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 23, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.21.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  20. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 15, 2019). "It's Official! Starz Renews 'American Gods' For Third Season, Finds New Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  21. ^ Patten, Dominic (April 28, 2019). "'American Gods' Creator Neil Gaiman Talks Season 2 Finale, His Favorite Episode & Teases Season 4 Plans". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  22. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 29, 2021). "'American Gods' Canceled At Starz; No Season 4 But Maybe A TV Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Marc, Christopher (July 6, 2019). "Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods' Season 3 To Shoot September–March In Toronto". HNEntertainment. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  24. ^ Miller, Thomas (October 10, 2019). "AMERICAN GODS Season 3 Begins Production". SEAT42F. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  25. ^ Kaya, Emre (December 18, 2019). "UPDATE: Exclusive: 'American Gods': Kahyun Kim Not Returning For Season 3, Crispin Glover Moves To Guest Star". Geeks Worldwide. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  26. ^ Romano, Nick (December 14, 2019). "Orlando Jones says he was fired from American Gods, Mr. Nancy sent 'wrong message'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  27. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (December 14, 2019). "American Gods Explains Orlando Jones Exit, Vows to Remain 'One of the Most Diverse Series on TV' in Season 3". TVLine. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  28. ^ Roots, Kimberly (December 16, 2019). "American Gods' Mousa Kraish Not Returning for Season 3". TVLine. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  29. ^ Patten, Dominic; Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 1, 2021). "Marilyn Manson Axed From 'American Gods' After Abuse Claims By Evan Rachel Wood; Singer Dropped By AMC From 'Creepshow' Also". Deadline. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  30. ^ Patten, Dominic (October 27, 2020). "'American Gods' Sets January 2021 Season 3 Premiere; Neil Gaiman Says "Story Back On Track"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  31. ^ "Starz Sets "American Gods" Season 3 Premiere for January 10" (Press release). Starz. October 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  32. ^ "American Gods: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 3, 2021.

External links

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