Fantasy novel 'American Gods' being developed as drama series

Neil Gaiman's "Anansi Boys" and "American Gods" have been optioned for TV adaptations, each on a different side of the Atlantic.

Set after "American Gods," "Anansi Boys" has a mild-mannered English accountant discover that he is actually brother to Spider, a stylish and outgoing inheritor of godly powers.

The siblings are reunited after their father's death and Charlie soon has to deal with the unexpected and fantastical events that follow Spider's introduction to his London life.

It's being made into a miniseries for the BBC under the guidance of production company Red, which has "Last Tango in Halifax," "Bob & Rose" and "Queer as Folk" on its credit roll.

"American Gods," meanwhile, is to visit the US under the guidance of FreemantleMedia, the company behind "American Idol," "American's Got Talent" and "The Tomorrow People."

The original novel sees America's immigrants bring ancient deities and mythological beings with them, who find themselves challenged by the a range of newer gods based on modern cultural and technological values.

Gaiman judged Freemantle to have a trickier assignment, "as they are going to have to open up 'American Gods' into something bigger than the book," while "Anansi Boys" appears to be destined for a more literal interpretation -- "an absolutely brilliant faithful version," he said.