Dane Cook has been tapped to play Shadow Moon’s best friend Robbie in Starz’s upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed fantasy novel American Gods.

Cook’s Robbie promises to hold Shadow’s (Ricky Whittle) job for him while he’s in prison. Robbie is married to Audrey, best friend to Shadow’s wife Laura (Emily Browning), and he provides another shoulder for Laura to cry on while Shadow is away.

The plot of American Gods posits a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of mythological roots from around the world steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Its protagonist, Shadow Moon (Whittle), is an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane), a conman who in reality is one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation to battle the new deities.

American Gods been translated into more than 30 languages and earned numerous accolades including Hugo, Nebula and Bram Stoker Awards for Best Novel.

Prolific stand-up comedian and actor Cook recently returned to the stage with his directorial debut of Troublemaker which premiered on Showtime. He is well known for his appearances on Comedy Central and HBO specials, and for his comedy albums including: Harmful If Swallowed; Retaliation; Vicious Circle; Rough Around The Edges: Live From Madison Square Garden;ISolated INcident; and Dane Cook: I Did My Best – Greatest Hits. Cook guest-starred on Louie opposite Louie C.K, as well as the most recent season of Comedy Central’s Workaholics. His film credits include the voice of Dusty in Planes: Fire & Rescue, and starring roles in My Best Friend’s Girl opposite Kate Hudson, Dan In Real Life opposite Steve Carell and Mr. Brooks opposite Kevin Costner, among others. Cook is repped by Innovative Artists, Untitled Entertainment, and Jackoway Tyerman,.

American Gods is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Bryan Fuller and Michael Green are writers and showrunners. David Slade is directing the pilot and additional episodes. FMNA’s Craig Cegielski and Stefanie Berk are executive producing the series along with Fuller, Green, Slade and Neil Gaiman. FremantleMedia is distributing the series worldwide.