ROAD WARRIOR

RICKY WHITTLE CASTS A SHADOW

SHADOW IN THE BOOK IS NOTORIOUSLY QUIET AND PASSIVE. HOW DID YOU FIND TRANSLATING THAT TO SCREEN?

When I first started, I was very attached to Shadow from the book. But in the book he’s very stoic and it’s a lot of internal monologue which isn’t going to entertain a TV audience. So they wanted to add layers. They wanted Shadow to be more outgoing, outspoken, they wanted him to ask questions, to have more charisma about him.

HOW DID YOU FOUND WORKING WITH IAN MCSHANE?

Oh my goodness. I’ve idolised him since I was a kid. I used to watch Lovejoy with my mum. All I’m doing is learning from him, and I can’t help not feeling blessed about that. I’m gonna state it right now: he’s going to win awards for this role. He’s incredible as Mr Wednesday. He’s funny, he’s manipulative, he’s devious, he’s nasty. It’s like he just walked out of the book.

AMERICAN GODS TOUCHES UPON A LOT OF RELEVANT THEMES. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

The exciting thing about this show is it’s going to be quite controversial. It touches on sensitive topics. We’re gonna talk about gun control, religion, sexism, these are subjects, especially in America, that are quite taboo. And this show is not going to force religion, it’s not going to force sexism down your throat, but it’s going to raise awareness. It’s not going to answer any questions, but it’s going to throw questions in the air and let you answer them.