The role of Zeus has been recast for Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2. In Season 1, Lance Reddick played the Greek god, but he sadly passed away in March 2023, just after filming ended. Season 2 follows the story of The Sea of Monsters, the second book in Rick Riordan’s series.
This time, Percy and his friends face new challenges with more gods and monsters from Greek mythology. Zeus, who is Thalia Grace’s father, will return. Thalia will be played by Tamara Smart, a new addition to the cast.
Variety has announced that Courtney B. Vance will play Zeus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2. Vance has an impressive career, winning two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. He’s also been nominated for Grammy and Golden Globe Awards.
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You might know him from The Hunt for Red October, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, or The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Here’s what Vance had to say about joining the Percy Jackson series:
I can’t tell you how excited I am to join the extraordinary cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians! There are few moments in an actor’s career when you can honestly say that you’re about to board a series that has such a devoted fan base filled with characters beloved around the world and is based on a wildly successful book series. I know that stepping into this role of Zeus will be a memorable experience, and I’ll be giving my brother, Lance Reddick, who left us way too soon, a heavenly hug.
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially recast one of its key characters. Zeus, the king of the gods and ruler of Olympus, plays a big role in the series’ mythology and upcoming stories. While Zeus’ scenes from the books will be included, Thalia’s appearance in Season 2 suggests Zeus might show up in new ways that weren’t part of the original story. Season 1 already did something similar by adding scenes with Poseidon (Toby Stephens) before Percy (Walker Scobell) found out he was a demigod.
Although Lance Reddick only appeared at the end of Percy Jackson Season 1, his portrayal of Zeus left a strong impact. He gave the character the power and presence it needed. Since the story can’t continue without Zeus, it was important to find an actor who could bring the same energy to the role. Courtney B. Vance is a great choice, as he can honor Reddick’s unforgettable performance while also adding his own unique touch to the character.
Seeing Zeus without Lance Reddick will feel different, but Courtney B. Vance is a great choice for the role. With Vance and Tamara Smart joining the cast in Season 2, the show can explore Thalia’s sad backstory even more than the books did. It will also be exciting to watch Vance’s Zeus interact with Poseidon and the other Olympians as the adventures with Percy, the Greek gods, heroes, and monsters continue in Season 2.
Source: Variety