Whoopi Goldberg Will Play Bird Woman in Neil Gaiman’s Series Adaptation of ANANSI BOYS
Whoopi Goldberg is set to play the menacing Bird Woman in Neil Gaiman’s series adaptation of Anansi Boys, which is being produced for Amazon Prime Video. She will star opposite Malachi Kirby and Delroy Lindo.
The six-episode series is based on Gaiman’s fantasy novel, the story of which is set throughout contemporary London and it follows “Charlie Nancy (Kirby)—sometimes known as Fat Charlie (it was his father’s nickname for him; he’s not fat)—a young man who is used to being embarrassed by his estranged father. But when his father dies, Charlie discovers that he was Anansi: Trickster God of stories (Lindo). And he learns that he has a brother. Now that brother, Spider (also played by Kirby), is entering Charlie’s life, determined to make it more interesting—but making it a lot more dangerous instead.”
Goldberg said in a statement, “I have been a fan of this book for a very long time and when Neil Gaiman told me it was being brought to the screen, I did everything I could to be part of it to help make people aware of Anansi and all his magic.”
Gaiman, who serves as co-showrunner, writer and executive producer added, “When I first conceived Anansi Boys, decades ago, I imagined Whoopi Goldberg as Bird Woman. I wasn’t able to meet her until 2018, when she interviewed me with some of the Good Omens team at New York Comic Con. At which point she mentioned that she had just finished listening to Sir Lenny Henry’s reading of Anansi Boys, and that it was one of her favourite books. Sometimes things feel planned and inevitable, and we are incredibly lucky. She’s going to be scary.”
Bird Woman is described as being the embodiment of birds. “Not just beautiful stately birds in flight. Anyone who’s had a close encounter with a seagull knows that some birds are more dangerous than others, and Bird Woman is the most dangerous of them all. Long ago Anansi did her wrong. Now may be her chance to turn the tables.”
Amazon Studios also announced a few other key cast members in roles that make up the pantheon of animal gods from The World Before Time. I’ve also include brief descriptions of the characters:
Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda) as Tiger. “He’s still angry with Anansi for stealing the stories, for making fun of him, and for coming out on top. Tiger (it’s the name of any Big Cat in the Caribbean) is a dangerous enemy to Anansi and all his bloodline.”
Emmanuel Ighodaro (The Queen and I) as Lion. “He’s proud and noble and has no time for Anansi.”
Cecilia Noble (The Lady in the Van) as Elephant. “She’s old and wise, and hates Anansi.”
Ayanna Witter-Johnson (The Collaboration) as Snake. “She’s beautiful and deadly and hates Anansi.”
Don Gilet (Sherwood) as Monkey. “He’s terrified of Anansi, keen on food—particularly fruit—and has the attention span of, well, a monkey…”
The previously announced cast includes Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn as Rosie Noah, Grace Saif as Detective Constable Daisy Day, Jason Watkins as Grahame Coats, Fiona Shaw as Maeve Livingstone, CCH Pounder as Mrs. Higgler, L. Scott Caldwell as Mrs. Dunwiddy, Joy Richardson as Mrs. Bustamonte, and Lachele Carl as Miss Noles.
Gaiman and Lenny Henry write for the series along with Arvind Ethan David, Kara Smith, and Racheal Ofori. Gaiman and Mackinnon serve as co-showrunners. Culpepper (Star Trek: Picard, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey) also directs the pilot.
The series is currently filming in Scotland and will premiere on Prime Video.