Development

In 2014, it was reported a BBC television miniseries of Anansi Boys was in the works.^[2] It would be made by Red Production Company with Gaiman as executive producer.^[3][4][5][6] The project did not come into fruition, and elements of it were instead incorporated into the Starz adaptation of American Gods.

In May 2020, it was reported that a miniseries adaptation was in development by Endor Productions for Amazon Prime Video.^[7] It is a standalone story and not a spin off of American Gods.^[8] In July 2021, it was announced Amazon had given the production a series order of 6 episodes. Amazon Studios, The Black Corporation, and Endor Productions are attached to the project; Red Production Company has on stayed to co-produce as well.^[9]

Gaiman is the series' showrunner and executive producer. Douglas Mackinnon previously served as co-showrunner, but left the project in November 2022.^[10] Gaiman is writing the series with Lenny Henry from the audio book, who is also executive producing. Arvind Ethan David, Kara Smith, and Racheal Ofori complete the writers' room.^[8] Other executive producers include Hanelle Culpepper, Hilary Bevan Jones of Endor, and Richard Fee of Red.^[11]

Casting

The same month as the greenlight, it was revealed Delroy Lindo would star as Mr. Nancy.^[12] In September, it was announced Malachi Kirby would star as both of Mr. Nancy's sons, Fat Charlie and Spider.^[11] Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn and Grace Saif were cast as the female leads Rosie Noah and Daisy Day respectively, as revealed in December.^[13]

Casting additions in March 2022 saw Fiona Shaw, CCH Pounder, Jason Watkins, L. Scott Caldwell, Joy Richardson, and Lachele Carl round out the cast.^[14] In April 2022, it was announced Whoopi Goldberg, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Cecilia Noble, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Don Gilet had also joined the cast.^[15]

Filming

Principal photography began on 18 November 2021 at First Stage Studios in Leith.^[16] The production received support from Screen Scotland.^[8] In June 2022, Gaiman shared an update on Twitter, confirming principal photography had wrapped at the end of May and informing fans that post-production would take time.^[17]