Marilyn Manson to Play “Disturbing” Viking Death-Metal Singer on ‘American Gods’ TV Series

Craig Noce, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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Marilyn Manson is adding another role to his acting resume, and this one seems particularly fitting — for a member of Amon Amarth, that is. As reported by Deadline, the Antichrist Superstar has joined the cast of the third season of Starz’s fantasy series American Gods to play Johan Wengren, the lead singer of Blood Death, a Viking death-metal band that is a source of power for Ian McShane’s Mr. Wednesday, a.k.a. the Old God Odin.

“As a longtime admirer of his estimable talent as an author, artist, musician, and actor, it is dope indeed to be working with Mr. Manson in Season 3 of American Gods,” showrunner Charles “Chic” Eglee commented. “Bringing his specific energy, wit, and boundless enthusiasm for all things Neil Gaiman to the role of Johan, a Norse ‘berserker’ in service to Odin, his performance promises to be disturbing, original, and uniquely entertaining.”

For those not in the know, American Gods is based on the classic novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The show tells the story of a former convict named Shadow Moon (played by Ricky Whittle) who is hired by the aforementioned Mr. Wednesday to act as a bodyguard and driver and finds himself in the middle of an epic battle between old and new deities. The series also stars Orlando Jones, Emily Browning, Pablo Schrieber, Kahyun Kim and Dean Winters.

Manson, of course, is no stranger to the screen having previously appeared in numerous movies and TV shows including Sons of Anarchy, Californication — where he played himself — and Wrong Cops. He also recently landed a role on HBO’s The New Pope. On the musical front, the shock rocker is reportedly well into the making of his new album, which is being produced by outlaw country star Shooter Jennings.