Gaiman books headed for TV

ANANSI Boys and American Gods by Neil Gaiman have been optioned for TV adaptations, each on a different side of the Atlantic. Set after American Gods, Anansi Boys has a mild-mannered English accountant discovering that he is actually brother to Spider, a stylish and outgoing inheritor of godly powers.

The siblings are reunited after their father’s death and Charlie soon has to deal with the unexpected and fantastical events that follow Spider’s introduction to his London life.

It’s being made into a miniseries for the BBC under the guidance of production company Red, which has Last Tango In Halifax, <p>Filename :

Bob & Rose and Queer As Folk on its credit roll.

American Gods, meanwhile, is to visit the United States under the guidance of FreemantleMedia, the company behind American Idol, America’s Got Talent and The Tomorrow People.

The original novel sees America’s immigrants bringing ancient deities and mythological beings with them, who find themselves challenged by a range of newer gods based on modern cultural and technological values.

Gaiman judged Freemantle to have a trickier assignment, “as they are going to have to open up American Gods into something bigger than the book,” while Anansi Boys appears to be destined for a more literal interpretation – “an absolutely brilliant faithful version,” he said. American Gods won multiple accolades, including the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards. – AFP Relaxnews