Actor Orlando Jones has opened up about his exclusion from the Starz’s series – American Gods – third season.
According to Jones, he had been thrown out of the cast from the series’ third season because he is black.
The fantasy drama television series is based on Neil Gaiman‘s novel of the same name and developed by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green for the premium cable network Starz.
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The series received praise for its visual style and acting and received two nominations at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Special Visual Effects.
It also received three nominations at the 8th Critics’ Choice Television Awards, including Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series for McShane, and Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Gillian Anderson.
Jones who played the Ghanaian trickster god Anansi, also known as Mr. Nancy in the previous season of the series resorted to Twitter Saturday to divulge the reasons behind his axing from the series’ third season cast.
Jones named one Chic Eglee, the new showrunner as being the reason behind his firing as the latter had issues with his character and decided Mr. Nancy sends “the wrong message for Black America.”
“I was fired from ‘American Gods,’” Jones wrote. “There will be no more Mr. Nancy. Don’t let these motherf—ers tell you they love Mr. Nancy, they don’t.”
“I’m not going to name names, but the new season 3 showrunner is Connecticut born and Yale-educated,” Jones added. “So he’s very smart and he thinks that Mr. Nancy’s angry, get sh– done is the wrong message for Black America.”
“This white man sits in that decision-making chair, and I’m sure he has many black bffs who are his advisors and made it clear to him that if he did not get rid of that angry god Mr. Nancy he’d start a Denmark Vesey uprising in this country. I mean, what else could it be?” asked Jones.
Thank you #AmericanGods fans.
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) December 14, 2019
I know ya’ll have LOTS of questions about the firing. As always I promise to tell you the truth and nothing but. ❤️ Always, Mr. Nancy?? pic.twitter.com/sDouoQlUMd
Jones helped in the writing and production of season two of the series after the departure of showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green.
Fremantle, the producers of the series rejected Jones’s accusations saying: “The storylines of ‘American Gods’ have continually shifted and evolved to reflect the complex mythology of the source material.”
A spokesman for the company told Deadline. “Mr. Jones’ option was not picked up because Mr. Nancy, among other characters, is not featured in the portion of the book we are focusing on within Season 3.”
Reactions
I loved every minute of working with this wonderful man. His talent is ?? and his ?? is essential.
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) December 14, 2019
HEARTBREAKING
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) December 14, 2019
To watch that opening of you on the ship of enslaved Africans, in the aftermath of what happened in Charleston, was something my soul needed. You were exquisite & I’m sorry someone who’s afraid of righteous Black anger has said you & your character’s services are no longer wanted
— Savannah J. Frierson—GROUNDED FOR XMAS COMING SOON (@sjfbooks) December 14, 2019
I used those monologues to teach my class (got in trouble) the conversations were needed and are important! Such a phenomenal character. What a loss.
— Honey Davids (@HoneyDavids2) December 14, 2019
From one 50 year-old white guy, YOU were the reason I watched (and will no longer watch.) Mr. Nancy was so incredible on this show, YOU were so incredible. Nothing but love. Your soliloquies were foundation shaking.
— Brian Foster (@bkpitman) December 17, 2019
