Gillian Anderson may have been one of the biggest names to grace American Gods' first season, but Neil Gaiman's world is looking for someone completely different to play the role of Media when the show returns.

Adapting Gaiman's 2001 novel about the battle between old deities and their modern equivalents, American Gods was one of 2017's most anticipated shows. It didn't fail to deliver on the artistic flair thanks to Bryan Fuller and Michael Green at the helm, but there were major changes ahead of season 2 when Fuller and Green exited American Gods. Fans were also shocked to hear that Anderson would not be part of season 2 as she joins the former showrunners, especially considering that Media is a major part of the books.

Related: American Gods Stars Sum Up Season 2 In Hashtags

While it would be pretty easy to find an Anderson lookalike to take over as Media, TV Line reports that new showrunner Jesse Alexander is going to the other end of the spectrum as casting begins for the new role of New Media. Apparently looking for an Asian actress in her 20s, season 2 of American Gods is keen to express the ever-changing face of the media and its sometimes fickle nature. The role of Media saw Anderson play everyone from David Bowie to Marilyn Monroe, and thankfully, the convoluted nature of American Gods' storytelling means that New Media shouldn't be too hard to cast ahead of the show's sophomore year.

Recasting is nothing new to TV, while the likes of Roseanne and Game of Thrones has been known for some controversial switching of faces with hopes that no one would notice. However, when someone like Anderson gets top billing on a TV show, it's pretty certain that fans are going to notice she isn't around anymore, which likely explains why the show is adding a different character with New Media. While the star's departure isn't the end of the world for American Gods, it is just the latest in a long line of setbacks and delays for season 2. Despite season 1 grabbing ratings and the attention of its fans, Gaiman is still trying to assure audiences that he is working hard on getting season 2 right.

In a recent run of exits for the 49-year-old, Anderson has left behind major roles in American Gods and her 25 years as Agent Dana Scully on Fox's The X-Files. While Anderson and Fuller have worked together on Hannibal, the lure of the Fullerverse was enough to take her away from playing Media after he left American Gods. Whoever takes on the new role following Anderson's departure will be lucky as she joins an impressive cast of Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning, and Ian McShane, however, consider them pretty big shoes to fill when American Gods returns later this year.

More: Gods We Want To See In American Gods Season 2

Source: TV Line