Warning! The following contains SPOILERS for the novel American Gods and the American Gods season 3 finale.
Last updated: March 30, 2021
Starz hasn't ordered American Gods season 4 and, while there was evidence suggesting the fantasy series might be renewed, the series has officially been canceled. A dark storm was on the horizon, literally and figuratively, as of the season 3 finale. The only thing more uncertain than Shadow Moon's fate and whether or not war will finally break out between the Old Gods and New Gods was whether or not the series would see a fourth and final season. But, the gods have spoken and American Gods' future is bleak.
It would be an understatement to say that the production of American Gods has been a troubled one. The series premiered in 2017 to great acclaim from professional critics and fans of author Neil Gaiman alike. Unfortunately, behind-the-scenes battles between the showrunners and the studio over budget and creative direction led to continual delays and a number of producers and actors being fired. Even American Gods season 3, which was perhaps the most stable season to date, saw controversy as Marilyn Manson was fired from the show in the wake of multiple abuse allegations.
The stories from behind the scenes of American Gods were as full of epic drama as the series itself. Despite this, the show still struggled forward, spinning its tale of ex-con Shadow Moon and how he was drawn into the world of the divine, discovering that his father, Mr. Wednesday, was an aspect of the Norse god Odin. The show went far beyond the boundaries of the novel that inspired it, however, introducing new characters and new challenges for the mortals who found their modern lives disrupted and forever changed by the presence of the titular American Gods.
American Gods Season 4 Renewal
There was some hope that American Gods would be renewed for season 4, but Starz has opted to cancel the series instead. Multiple reports confirmed that author Neil Gaiman and showrunner Charles “Chic” Eglee were making plans for season 4's storyline in early 2019. However, it seems those plans won't see the light of day any longer. The news of American Gods' cancelation isn't very surprising considering its many production problems. Multiple actors left American Gods — either quitting in protest or being fired, and the series has seen four showrunners at the helm over the course of its three seasons. In a statement from Starz, a spokesperson wrote:
"American Gods will not return for a fourth season. Everyone at Starz is grateful to the dedicated cast and crew, and our partners at Fremantle who brought author and executive producer Neil Gaiman’s ever-relevant story to life that speaks to the cultural climate of our country."
American Gods 4 Release Date Info
Despite American Gods being canceled, all hope is not yet lost. In lieu of a season 4, there are reports suggesting the series will see a story wrap-up in an event series or a TV movie. The first three seasons were produced on a biannual cycle, thanks to the production delays caused by each season of American Gods having a different showrunner and the COVID-19 pandemic. If the pattern holds, there's a chance fans could see American Gods wrap up its loose plot threads in the first quarter of 2023. That said, a TV movie or event series is not officially confirmed, so fans may not want to get too excited for the news just yet.
American Gods 4 Story Details
As of the American Gods season 3 finale, "Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree," most of the storyline from the novel has played out, with only the climax and epilogue remaining. The season 3 finale ended at approximately the same point as Chapter Fifteen of the novel, with Shadow Moon having been bound to the world-tree Yggdrasil to stand the death vigil for Mr. Wednesday, whose corpse vanished from the base of the tree as a great storm began brewing on the horizon. At the same time, Mr. World began making preparations for a war between the Old Gods and the New Gods, anticipating that the Old Gods would wish to avenge Wednesday's murder.
One wrinkle the series added in American Gods season 3 was that it established Laura Moon as Wednesday's killer, with Mr. World arranging for her to stab Wednesday with his own spear, Gungnir. This, coupled with an expanded storyline for the goddess Bilquis and her search for Shadow's "other" to prevent a coming disaster means viewers can expect to see more of Bilquis and Laura in a series wrap-up or TV movie, should that ever come to pass. Fans can also expect to see more of Mr. World, although which actor plays him (or her) is anyone's guess. Audiences can also anticipate Shadow's newfound desire for godhood to play a major role in the events of the season, although it remains to be seen if he truly will become his father's son.