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]
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]
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]
