The Starz adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods has taken a huge leap forward: They’ve cast Shadow Moon! Ricky Whittle, who you might recognize as Lincoln from The 100, will play the lead, and I don’t think the casting could be more perfect. Shadow is a curmudgeonly sort and a former convict who has no one left in the world when he takes a job for a conman known as Mr. Wednesday. Turns out Mr. Wednesday isn’t your average boss. He’s actually Odin the All-Father–as in, a manifestation of the old god. Yeah, and you thought your manager was quirky.

Shadow follows Mr. Wednesday on his travels around the United States, visiting a variety of magical beings and gods (there is so much guest star potential!). American Gods is an ideal story for television adaptation, and with Bryan Fuller and Michael Green as showrunners, I feel optimistic. I’m even more hopeful now with Whittle as Shadow.

Gaiman commented on the casting: “I’m thrilled that Ricky has been cast as Shadow. His auditions were remarkable. The process of taking a world out of the pages of a book, and putting it onto the screen has begun. American Gods is, at its heart, a book about immigrants, and it seems perfectly appropriate that Shadow will, like so much else, be Coming to America. I’m delighted Ricky will get to embody Shadow. Now the fun starts.”

What do you think about this casting decision? Tell me your feelings in the comments and tell me about your dream cast for some of the other roles!

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IMAGES: The CW