David Farnor | On 19, May 2022

Paterson Joseph and Johnny Vegas are among the latest additions to Amazon’s Anansi Boys.

The six-part series, based on Neil Gaiman’s novel, follows Charlie Nancy (Malachi Kirby) —sometimes known as Fat Charlie (it was his father’s nickname for him; he’s not fat) — a young man who is used to being embarrassed by his estranged father. But when his father dies, Charlie discovers that he was Anansi: Trickster God of stories (played by Delroy Lindo). And he learns that he has a brother. Now that brother, Spider (also played by Kirby), is entering Charlie’s life, determined to make it more interesting — but making it a lot more dangerous instead.

Anansi Boys is set throughout contemporary London and follows an exciting cast of characters in an epic story that stretches from the UK to Florida, the Caribbean and the mythical World Before Time.

The latest additions to the cast include Jacqueline Boatswain as Mrs Noah, Rosie Noah’s mother. Mrs Noah dislikes and disapproves of her daughter’s fiancé, Fat Charlie Nancy, a feeling that is mutually shared.

Josette Simon will play Chief Commissioner Camberwell, a career cop who has risen through the ranks the hard way. She’s tough, brilliant and plays by the rules.

Paterson Joseph will play the Chief of Police on St Andrews. He does not appreciate cops on holiday on his island telling him what to do.

Johnny Vegas will play Morris Livingstone, who once upon a time was one of the most famous comedians in the UK. He died some years ago, but his presence lingers on.

The series is currently shooting in Edinburgh, Scotland.
 

Whoopi Goldberg joins Amazon’s Anansi Boys

7th April 2022

Whoopi Goldberg has joined the cast of Amazon’s Anansi Boys.

The six-episode limited series will follow Charlie Nancy, a young man who is used to being embarrassed by his estranged father. But when his father dies, Charlie discovers that his father was Anansi: trickster god of stories. And he learns that he has a brother. Now his brother, Spider, is entering Charlie’s life, determined to make it more interesting but making it a lot more dangerous.

Anansi Boys is a stand-alone story, not a sequel or spin-off of Gaiman’s novel American Gods. The book’s story was originally developed in conversation between Gaiman and Sir Lenny Henry with the series adaptation reuniting the collaboration between the pair. They will write for the series along with Arvind Ethan David, Kara Smith, and Racheal Ofori, with Gaiman and Henry both exec-producing.

In front of the camera, Amazon has already cast Malachi Kirby as Charlie and Spider, with Delroy Lindo co-starring as Anansi. Whoopi Goldberg will take up the mantle of Bird Woman, God of Birds and one the show’s key antagonists. She is the latest casting to be announced, along with a full pantheon of gods who make up the mythical World Before Time—a place that isn’t a place, where the animals who are gods still walk. A place of incredible beauty, magic, and danger.

Goldberg said: “I have been a fan of this book for a very long time and when Neil Gaiman told me it was being brought to the screen, I did everything I could to be part of it to help make people aware of Anansi and all his magic.”

Other cast members include Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Tiger, who’s angry with Anansi for stealing the stories, for making fun of him, and for coming out on top, Cecilia Noble as Elephant, who’s old and wise, and hates Anansi, Ayanna Witter-Johnson as Snake, who’s beautiful and deadly and hates Anansi, and Don Gilet as Monkey, who’s terrified of Anansi, keen on food — particularly fruit — and has the attention span of, well, a monkey.

Photo: Timothy White

 

Amazon orders Anansi Boys TV series

21st July 2021

Amazon Studios has ordered a series based on Neil Gaiman’s novel Anansi Boys.

The six-episode limited series will follow Charlie Nancy, a young man who is used to being embarrassed by his estranged father. But when his father dies, Charlie discovers that his father was Anansi: trickster god of stories. And he learns that he has a brother. Now his brother, Spider, is entering Charlie’s life, determined to make it more interesting but making it a lot more dangerous.

Anansi Boys is a stand-alone story, not a sequel or spin-off of Gaiman’s novel American Gods. The book’s story was originally developed in conversation between Gaiman and Sir Lenny Henry with the series adaptation reuniting the collaboration between the pair. They will write for the series along with Arvind Ethan David, Kara Smith, and Racheal Ofori, with Gaiman and Henry both exec-producing – alongside Douglas Mackinnon, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Hilary Bevan Jones (Endor Productions) and Richard Fee (Red Production Company). Gaiman and Mackinnon will serve as co-showrunners. Culpepper (Star Trek: Picard, Memories of Ptolemy Grey) will direct the pilot. Jermain Julien (Grantchester) and Azhur Saleem (Doctor Who) are also directing for the series. Paul Frift will produce.

Said Gaiman: “Anansi Boys began around 1996, from a conversation I had with Lenny Henry about writing a story that was diverse and part of the culture that we both loved. I wrote a novel, an (I hope) joyous and funny book about a dead god and his two sons, about birds and ghosts and beasts and cops, based in Caribbean and African tales.

“Anansi Boys as a TV series has been a long time coming – I first started working with Endor and Red on making it over a decade ago. We needed Amazon Prime Video to come on board and embrace our vision, we needed a lead director with the craft and vision of Hanelle Culpepper, we needed the creative and technical wizardry of Douglas Mackinnon (who worked out how we could push the bounds of the possible to shoot a story set all over the world in a huge studio outside Edinburgh), and we needed the rest of the amazing talents that nobody knows about yet.

“I am thrilled that Sir Lenny Henry is one of our executive producers. He was there when it was conceived, he narrated the audiobook and he has kept the heart of the production true.

“We are trying to make a new kind of show with Anansi Boys, and to break ground with it to make something that celebrates and rejoices in diversity both in front of and behind the camera. I’m so thrilled it’s happening and that people will be meeting Mr Nancy, Charlie and Spider, the Bird Woman and the rest of them.”

Henry added: “I’ve been a huge fan (and couch sleeping friend) of Neil Gaiman’s for over 30 years and I have loved being a part of the Anansi Boys creative team. I love that we’re going to have a suitably diverse cast and crew to tell this joyous story! What’s great is that the whole production is listening and ensuring that inclusion is happening and is being seen to be done.”

The show is produced by Amazon Studios, The Blank Corporation, Endor Productions, and RED Production Company. With this announcement, Amazon Studios continues its relationship with Gaiman, who has an overall deal with the studio.

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