It's been a few years since Neil Gaiman's award-winning novel, American Gods hit the scene in 2001, but the story is potent enough to have maintained a fervent fanbase. The plot revolves around the spirits that are brought to life by belief and that thrive on worship. Gaiman created a world where the gods of old cultures still wander, but have been forgotten and replaced by the forces that drive human attention today. After years of false starts, a screen adaptation of the novel is finally underway. Showrunners Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies) and Michael Green (Green LanternHeroes) are currently in the midst of the production of the American Gods television series for Starz.

First look photos and casting announcements have been rolling in, and so far it's all looking pretty impressive. Ian McShane (Deadwood), Crispin Glover (Back to the Future), and Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) are just a few of the stars rounding out the show's supporting cast so far. With Comic-Con in full swing, the internet is simply buzzing with new info about upcoming fan-favorite properties, and American Gods isn't content to be left out.

During the American Gods panel at Comic-Con, the cast and crew announced that none other than beloved stage and screen star, Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies) has been cast as the deity Easter. It was further confirmed over on the show's official Twitter page:

#AMERICANGODS SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT! WELCOME @KChenoweth! #SDCC2016 pic.twitter.com/Fazq3VJXBs— American Gods (@AmericanGodsSTZ) July 22, 2016

Easter is just one of many holidays appropriated by the Roman Catholic church and carried on until today. Also known as Ēostre or Ostara, the goddess who inspired the holiday is an 8th-century Germanic deity of fertility (hence the rabbits and eggs). In the novel, Easter plays a major supporting role in Mr. Wednesday's plans to fight the new gods. This partially has to do with her unique place in the pantheon of forgotten deities.

American Gods has an incredibly well-chosen cast so far, but placing Chenoweth in the role of Easter was inspired. In the book, the deity is depicted as outwardly quite pleased with her circumstances. She is, after all, one of the few gods that is still (kind of) remembered. But her quiet sadness about the lack of people that actually believe in her leaves her secretly blue. If there's a single living actress known for blending outward perkiness with internal hidden melancholy, it's Chenoweth. She previously worked with Fuller on Pushing Daisies.

It's certainly an exciting time to be a fan of Gaiman's beloved property. The show started out with promise and is looking better and better with each new reveal. Are you excited to see Chenoweth in American Gods? Let us know in the comments section, and stay tuned to Screen Rant for updates on American Gods as they hit.

Next: American Gods Season 1 Trailer

American Gods is expected to air on Starz in 2017.

Source: Starz (via Twitter)