Starz’s American Gods actor Mousa Kraish, who portrays Jinn on the series, will not return for season 3. Although Bryan Fuller and Michael Green developed the series, the two showrunners left after its first season. Jesse Alexander took over for season 2 but was removed, leaving the series without a full-time showrunner, although Gaiman served as a co-showrunner.
Season 2 ended up with mixed reviews, having ventured well beyond any territory covered in the source material of the book by Gaiman. However, Starz decided to renew American Gods for season 3 and hired a new showrunner, Charles Eglee. Season 3, though, is already on shaky ground. Just recently, actor Orlando Jones, who portrays Anansi, was fired, as he revealed on social media. He then made accusations that the new white showrunner didn’t like his portrayal of the African god, particularly the character’s passionate and angry speeches about the black experience.
Jones isn’t the only actor not returning for American Gods season 3, though. Kraish announced on Twitter that he, too, had been let go for the season. Kraish portrays Jinn on the series, an ifrit from the Middle East. Critics and fans praised his role after the series revealed his gay relationship with the Muslim character Salim. Kraish tweeted his thanks to some of those involved in the series, and Gaiman responded.
The show’s production company, Fremantle, attempted to explain Jones’ departure from the series by suggesting that it was because season 3 was covering a part of the book that Anansi doesn’t appear in. Some fans might find that suspect, though, considering how the series has strayed away from the novel. It might explain Kraish’s departure,, given that Gaiman responded to the actor’s tweet about hoping to see him in season 4. Kraish also commented that he would return to play the character when asked. However, what’s unclear is whether actor Omid Abtahi, who portrays Salim, Jinn’s lover, will also sit out season 3 as well.
Regardless of the reasons behind these firings, American Gods is already suffering a public perception problem. Fans of both Jones and Kraish have taken to social media to share their outrage. These casting decisions also seem to send a message to fans about a lack of sensitivity to both race and LGBTQ+ issues. Fremantle has already been accused of racist attitudes, particularly after the company recently fired Gabrielle Union from America’s Got Talent after she brought up the series’ racial insensitivity and toxic culture. These two latest firings certainly do little to quell fans concerned about the production company’s values.
Next: Good Omens Shows American Gods How To Adapt Neil Gaiman Right
Source: Mousa Kraish/Twitter
