Marilyn Manson to join American Gods Season 3 as the singer of Blood Death

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

The Angel with the Scabbed Wings himself, Marilyn Manson, is joining the cast of AMERICAN GODS for the show's third season. Upon entering the realm of gods and mischief, Manson will play Johan Wengren, the lead singer of Blood Death, a Viking death metal band. Word around the pantheon is that Wengren and Blood Death serve as a source for the Ian McShane-acted character, Mr. Wednesday.

“As a long-time 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 Chic Eglee told Deadline exclusively of the new addition to the Ricky Whittle-led ensemble based on best-selling author and executive producer Neil Gaiman’s award winning 2001 novel.

“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,” Eglee added.

The third season of AMERICAN GODS is poised to make its way to STARZ with Manson set to star as Wengren in a total of four episodes. In the past, AMERICAN GODS has had its share of troubles getting its sophomore season off the ground. Considering that Manson is notorious for being an unruly sort, lets hope that his involvement doesn't buck the show's production off course. To his credit, Manson has delivered a number of intriguiing performances on the small screen, including parts for shows like SONS OF ANARCHY, ONCE UPON A TIME, and soon, the shock-rocker will appear alongside Jude Law and John Malkovich in the upcoming season of THE NEW POPE.

As a self-proclaimed Manson fan ever since the debut of his 1994 album Portrait of an American Family, I can say that this casting development has me very intrigued. Having just seen Marilyn Manson alongside Rob Zombie live in concert last month, I can tell you from first-hand experience that the rockstar all your parents worried about is still filled with piss and hellfire. Here's hoping that he brings a unique bent to AMERICAN GODS when the third season of the show arrives.