Ricky Whittle Lands Lead Role In US Series 'American Gods'
Former 'Hollyoaks' Star Ricky Lands HUGE New US Role
Rachel McGrath— The Huffington Post UK
|
Ricky Whittle is just one of the many British stars who’s swapped soaps for Hollywood, and ‘Hollyoaks’ fans will be delighted to learn that he’s landed a massive new job.
The former soap star will take on the lead role in ‘American Gods’, an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel.
Open Image Modal
Yes the haircut is questionable, but Ricky is still as dreamy as ever
Filming is set to start in the spring, and author Neil has shared his joy at the casting, stating that Ricky’s auditions “were remarkable”.
“The process of taking a world out of the pages of a book, and putting it on to the screen has begun,” he says. “‘American Gods’ is, at its heart, a book about immigrants, and it seems perfectly appropriate that Shadow will, like so much else, be ‘Coming to America’.
“I’m delighted Ricky will get to embody Shadow. Now the fun starts.”
This isn’t Ricky’s first huge role Stateside, as shortly after swapping Blighty for Hollywood in 2014, he landed a role in CW’s ‘The 100’.
Check out the other soap stars who’ve switched soaps for big budget projects below…
Stars Who've Swapped Soaps For Hollywood
Roxanne McKee(01 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Hollyoaks' to... 'Game Of Thrones'Roxanne spent three years in the world of soap, before taking a number of small parts in the UK and eventually relocating. In the US, she's been a huge success, and can currently be found in 'GoT' as Doreah. (credit:Jason Kempin via Getty Images)
Ben Hardy (02 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'EastEnders' to... 'X-Men'In one of the most impressive moves ever, Ben's swapped Walford for Wolverine by nabbing a role in 'X-Men: Apocalypse'. When the actor starts playing Angel in the film, he'll be able to count Hugh Jackman and J-Law as castmates. Impressive! (credit:Danny E. Martindale via Getty Images)
Sam Strike(03 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'EastEnders' to... 'Leatherface'Sam followed Ben's lead away from Albert Square, and nabbed himself a part in the upcoming 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' prequel. (credit:John Phillips/Invision/AP)
Claire Cooper(04 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Hollyoaks' to... 'A.D. The Bible Continues'Claire waved goodbye to Jacqui McQueen in 2013, and can now be starring in the NBC drama. (credit:Ron Adar via Getty Images)
Ricky Whittle(05 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Hollyoaks' to... 'The 100'Ricky set off for La-La Land not long after leaving the Channel 4 soap. After nabbing a number of small roles, he finally got his big break in 2014, when he began playing Lincoln in the CW Network's drama. (credit:Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Michelle Ryan(06 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'EastEnders' to...'Bionic Woman' Back in 2007, Michelle became one of the first British stars to make the big leap across the pond. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Anna Friel (07 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Brookside' to...More Things Than We Can Count While you're more likely to recognise Anna from movies, or perhaps the West End stage, she actually started out in 'Brookside', back in 1993. (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Liam Hemsworth(08 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Neighbours' and 'Home And Away' to... 'The Hunger Games'Hollywood hottie Liam had starring roles in Aussie's two biggest soaps before stunning fans in 'The Hunger Games' alongside Jennifer Lawrence. (credit:Rob Latour/Invision/AP)
Nathalie Emmanuel (09 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Hollyoaks' to... 'Game Of Thrones'Nathalie went from playing stroppy 'Oaks teenager Sasha Valentine to starring in of the world's hottest shows. She also makes an appearance in 'Fast And Furious 7'. (credit:Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Rob Kazinsky(10 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'EastEnders' to... 'True Blood'Rob's bad boy character Sean caused plenty of trouble in Walford and he's now stirring things up as a vampire. (credit:David Livingston via Getty Images)
Zaraah Abrahams(11 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Coronation Street' to... 'True Blood'Zaraah left 'Corrie' back in 2007, and later this year, she'll begin starring in the US drama 'The Knick'. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
Barry Sloane(12 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Hollyoaks' to...'Revenge' What is it with 'Hollyoaks' and churning out superstars? Barry now has a regular role in 'Revenge', and ain early 2015, he also nabbed a role in 'The Whispers'. (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Margot Robbie(13 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Neighbours' to... 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'Margot made a dramatic transformation, going from Erinsborough school girl Donna to Leo DiCaprio's on-screen wife. (credit:John Salangsang/Invision/AP)
Patsy Palmer (14 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'EastEnders' to...Hollywood, daaaahling!RIIIIIIIIICKAAAAAY!Oops sorry, not sure what happened there. Patsy's spent over 10 years, on-and-off, starring as motormouth Bianca. According to reports, she was leaving the market for Venice Beach and sure enough, snaps of Patsy rubbing shoulders with Hollywood bigwigs soon arrived. Watch this space to find out what she's working on... (credit:Gabriel Olsen via Getty Images)
Georgia May Foote(15 of15)
Open Image Modal
From 'Coronation Street' to... ?Georgia announced her plans to leave the ITV soap back in April 2014. Since then, she's been on the lookout for a hot, new role in Hollywood, but nothing's been confirmed (yet!). (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)