Whenever a network cancels a show prematurely, the producers always talk about shopping it to other networks/streaming services. Usually, these efforts result in disappointment. For every Lucifer, The Expanse, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, there are a dozen other shows that die an early death. However, Neil Gaiman and the producers of American Gods hope their show will join the ranks of other saved shows.
Updates on the Future of American Gods
Ever since Starz canceled American Gods in March, there’s been talk of the show finding a new home. Neil Gaiman has repeatedly hinted at a future for the show, saying “It’s definitely not dead.” At the time, it remained unclear what form a continuation of American Gods might take. Would be a full-fledged fourth season? Or one final TV film, wrapping up the storylines? Or, perhaps, even a handful of special episodes – not enough to be a proper season, but more than one?
Recently, there hasn’t been much in the way of American Gods-related news. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In fact, according to Gaiman, things are still moving forward behind the scenes. In response to one fan asking him on Twitter if there was any news about the rumored American Gods wrap-up movie/special, Gaiman said that things “are looking good.” When another fan asked if there was any movement on a potential fourth season, Gaiman replied: “They are still planning some wrap up specials.” Sure, none of this can be taken as a confirmation of new American Gods episodes/specials/etc. But there is hope.
Some Pure Speculation on a New Home for American Gods
It’s important to note that as of publication, no network has picked up American Gods. It is still a show in search of a home. However, if I had to guess the most likely candidate to save American Gods, I’d say Amazon Prime. Neil Gaiman (and his production company, The Blank Corporation) already has an overall deal with Amazon Studios. Per the deal, Gaiman will develop shows for Amazon Studios that will be distributed by Amazon Prime. (This is basically how the surprise-renewal of Good Omens happened.)
And Amazon Prime already distributes American Gods as a Prime Original in every country except for the United States. So, it’s not a particularly big stretch to guess that Amazon might be the most likely candidate to save American Gods, given they already distribute it to most countries. But it’s important to remember that Freemantle produces the show, so it’s up to them to shop it around. And as of right now, no network has taken the bait. But hopefully, one will soon.
Can American Gods Finish Its Story?
Assuming the show finds a new home, is it possible to conclude the narrative with only a couple of specials? Easily. American Gods could’ve been adapted as a single, ten-episode miniseries. However, that would’ve excluded many of the show’s fan-favorite additions. So, the other logical way to structure it would’ve been similar to how Dark Horse Comics structured their adaptation. The first season could’ve adapted the first part of the novel – “Shadows.” The second season could’ve handled the second part – “My Ainsel” (the Lakeside portion). And the third season could’ve handled the final part – “The Moment of the Storm.”
But that’s not what happened. Instead, the third season ended about a third of the way into the book’s final part (while also covering about half of its epilogue – the Hinzelmann reveal). The season finale left only a few character arcs and plotlines unresolved. There’s Shadow’s, Laura’s, Tech Boy’s, and Bilquis’s character arcs. As well as the Old Gods and New Gods’ war. And the resolution to that massive cliffhanger that, potentially, spelled the return of Mr. Wednesday and an eventual clash with Mr. World. (For more, please give this article—written by my colleague, Tia—a read.)
On paper, this might sound like a lot. But it’s not. In fact, there are only five chapters left to cover (depending on how you split them up). And the bulk of those chapters form the narrative’s climax and immediate aftermath. It wouldn’t be particularly difficult to cover those chapters in two hours, or so. And since most of the remaining character arcs are all tied into this climax, it wouldn’t be difficult to wrap them up either. By cutting a lot of the extraneous padding the series too often leaned on, American Gods could easily finish the story in 2-3 hours.
Where Does that Leave Fans?
Right now, fans of American Gods are in a state of uncertainty. With no news on a new home for the series, or how a continuation might look, it’s hard to have a lot of hope. No news can seem scary, often for good reason. But it looks like Freemantle and Neil Gaiman are still trying to find a new home for American Gods. So, until they throw in the towel after exhausting all avenues, there’s always a bit of hope. It’s important to remember the odds aren’t necessarily good. But if the show does get saved, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the writers to bring it to a satisfying conclusion.
How would you like to see American Gods end?
Part-time writer, part-time theatre nerd, full-time dork.
