Famous actress Whoopi Goldberg has officially joined the cast of Anansi Boys, the upcoming TV series adaptation of Neil Gaiman's beloved 2005 book for Amazon Prime. Goldberg has made it known how much of a long-time fan she is of Gaiman's work and overall discography.
Anansi Boys follows the character of Charlie Nancy, who’s been perpetually stuck with the nickname “Fat Charlie,” which his father gave him despite the fact that he isn't anywhere near overweight. However, when Charlie's father suddenly passes away, he begins to discover the true identity of his father, who he comes to find out is in fact the powerful Anansi. Charlie even finds out that he has a long-lost brother named Spider. The two end up becoming fast friends, an iconic duo, as Spider provides some much-needed companionship for Charlie. Actor Malachi Kirby is set to play both Charlie and Spider alongside The Harder They Fall actor Delroy Lindo, who has been cast as Anansi. However, Lindo isn’t the first actor to step into the role of Anansi. Actor Orlando Jones previously played the character of Ansansi in Starz's American God Series, and he’s been very vocal about the fact that he has been mistreated by the producers, claiming they “did him wrong.” However, Gaiman has responded to Jones' statement, making it clear that the “team on Anansi Boys is technically completely separate and void of any association with American God."
Gaiman is one of the most skilled fantasy writers out there, providing readers with the ultimate form of magical, healthy escapism - filled to the brim with curiosity and imagination. Therefore, this opportunity for Goldberg to finally step into one of his perfectly crafted worlds is both a dream come true for her and yet incredibly daunting. Not only is Goldberg joining the cast of her dreams, but Gaiman has also revealed that she is influential in the Amazon Prime series, playing a key antagonistic role. Goldberg is set to play the character of Bird Woman, a.k.a. The God of Birds. Gaiman shared that he always imagined Goldberg as Bird Woman when he first created the Anansi Boys book series, decades ago.
“I wasn't able to meet her until 2018 when she interviewed me with some of the Good Omens team at New York Comic Con," Gaiman said in a statement. "At which point she mentioned that she had just finished listening to Sir Lenny Henry's reading of Anansi Boys, and that it was one of her favorite books - Sometimes things feel planned and inevitable, and we are incredibly lucky.” She embodies the essence of birds - inheriting their free spirit. However, Bird Woman isn’t just the mere physical manifestation of the beloved bald eagle - she also shares the energy of a black, ominous crow. She is both beautiful and liberated, yet dangerous and cunning.
Gaiman has promised fans that Goldberg's upcoming role is “going to be scary.” Her natural inclination towards evil takes roots from an encounter she had long ago with Anansi, otherwise known as the African trickster God of Stories. According to the book, Anansi had ruthlessly deceived her, playing her for a fool. Now, Goldberg's titular character has the opportunity to seek revenge and redemption - to get back at Anansi once and for all.
A release date has yet to be announced for Anansi Boys.
Source: Amazon Studios