Malachi Kirby will star as the lead in Amazon’s upcoming Anansi Boy series. Actually, the actor will play both leads – both Charlie Nancy and his brother, Spider.
Anansi Boys adapts the book by acclaimed author Neil Gaiman. The show follows Charlie, a young man used to being embarrassed by his estranged father, Mr. Nancy. But when his father dies, Charlie discovers the man was actually Anansi: trickster god of stories. Then his brother, Spider, enters Charlie’s life, determined to make it more interesting… and a lot more dangerous.
(Note: The character of Mr. Nancy also appears in Gaiman’s American Gods, which Starz adapted into its own series. However, Anansi Boys will be a standalone story, with no connection to American Gods.)
Charlie and his brother Spider are total opposites; Charlie is described as awkward, stressed, and altogether totally normal, while Spider is cocky, amoral, and imbued with otherworldly powers. Amazon needed a top-notch actor to fill both roles, and they found that talent with Kirby.
“Malachi Kirby is an actor of astonishing sensitivity, charm, and power,” said Gaiman. “We needed somebody who could bring us the humanity of Charlie and the godly dangerousness of Spider; who could play two very different characters and who could in many ways carry the show. We found Malachi, and I am so thrilled that we did. He’s astonishing.”
Kirby recently won a best supporting actor BAFTA for his role in the Amazon/BBC series Small Axe. His upcoming credits include the CW series Devils and the feature My Name Is Leon. He also appeared in episodes of Doctor Who and Black Mirror, and starred in the 2016 remake of Roots.
Amazon previously announced a six-episode order for Anansi Boys. Filming will begin in Scotland later this year. Gaiman currently has an overall deal with Amazon, which will next provide a second season of Good Omens to fans.
Source: Variety
