The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys is Getting a Live-Action Adaptation


Another Neil Gaiman book is getting a live-action adaptation. Amazon Prime has just ordered Gaiman's Anansi Boys to series and that means Mr. Nancy will be back. However, he probably won't be played by Orlando Jones.

Gaiman has confirmed in his blog that Anansi Boys will be getting a series adaptation and even revealed that it is already in development. The author confirmed that he is co-writing the adaptation with Lenny Henry, who served as the inspiration behind the book in the first place.

Star Trek: Picard's Hanelle Culpepper will serve as lead director and will helm the pilot. The other episodes will be directed by Jermain Julien and Azhur Saleem. Amazingly, it was confirmed that Anansi Boys is set to begin production in Scotland before the end of the year.

Anansi Boys was published back in 2005 and it follows a man named Charlie Nancy whose mundane life is turned around by the death of his estranged father. After all, his father Mr. Nancy is the trickster god Anansi and his death leads to the return of Charlie's wild brother Spider.

The Anansi Boys poster released by Amazon Prime
click to enlarge

We've already met a version of Mr. Nancy in American Gods where he was played by Orlando Jones. However, it is unlikely that Jones will reprise his role in the upcoming series. After all, Henry's involvement could mean that he will also portray Mr. Nancy, who had has previously played in the book's audio drama.

Anansi Boys is just one of many adaptations of Gaiman's works that are coming soon. It was previously confirmed that Good Omens is getting a second season that will air on Amazon Prime. Additionally, The Sandman is currently in production although a release date has not yet been announced.

Related: Good Omens Season 2 Confirmed at Amazon, New Poster Revealed

For more articles like this, take a look at our Fantasy & Science Fiction page.