Television

Bryan Fuller Shares AMERICAN GODS Concept Art and Terrifying Spider Pics

by Amy Ratcliffe
May 8 2017 • 6:00 AM

The second installment of American Gods started with a no-nonsense, no-holds-barred speech from Anansi, a.k.a. Mr. Nancy, as Orlando Jones‘ trickster god was brought to America by his believers. His passionate and honest words spurred action, and the episode didn’t slow down as it came back to the modern day. “The Secret of Spoons” threw Shadow (and us) right into the lap of the heightening conflict between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Shit, as they say, is getting real.

Just as they did with the series premiere, American Gods showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green tweeted behind-the-scenes information throughout the second episode. They shared the inspiration for Mr. Nancy’s god form, costume design, and much more.Since the episode started with Anansi, we’ll begin there: with the real-life arachnid that Anansi was modeled on. If you don’t like spiders, close your eyes and scroll down a little into safe territory.

Behold, the jumping spider known as Habronattus virgulatus:

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861385663228239872

Look how those glorious colors translate to costume designer Suttirat Larlarb’s damn dapper sketch for Mr. Nancy’s first appearance.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861386419348004864

An early concept for Mr. Nancy/Anansi:

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861387427545591808

Damn.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861387675865014272

Moving back to Shadow Moon and Mr. Wednesday, the hotel parking lot set is apparently packed with clues according to co-producer Loretta Ramos.

The duo kept making their way across the country after Shadow packed up the home he used to share with Laura. This is the kind of show that calls for on the road shots.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861391200682622976

While Mr. Wednesday’s starting to talk to the Old Gods, Shadow runs into another New God: the always terrific Gillian Anderson as Media. She appears to Shadow in the form of Lucy, as in I Love Lucy.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861391955825115137

But remember Bilquis and how her worshippers keep her going? Fuller shared some utterly terrific concept art of the possible vagina nebula where Bilquis’ believers live.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861393716489015297

Then we venture into Chicago with Wednesday and Shadow to meet Czernobog and the Zoryas.

I’m all about this costume design for Zorya Vechernyaya.

Peter Stormare has a Hello Kitty backpack. Because of course he does.

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861395477417177089

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861395226555957248

The palette of the Zorya sisters’ apartment speaks volumes.

Remember Janice Poon’s work on Hannibal? Yeah, she’s also killing it on American Gods. Her illustrations for the dinner at the apartment:

https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/861396989120045056

Oh, and hey, she’s sharing recipes for the meals in her show at her website. Go visit to get details for episode two.

What about the second episode jumped out at you? Tell me in the comments.

Images: Starz

Watch below as Orlando Jones chats American Gods with our Alpha Book Club

[brightcove video_id=”5417854675001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=”rJs2ZD8x”]