“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” Cast: All About the Stars of the New Disney+ Series

The latest adaptation of the hit 'Percy Jackson' book series stars new faces and old favorites

Disney+’s new series Percy Jackson and the Olympians brings the famous book series of the same name to life for a second time.

Starring newcomers like Walker Scobell, Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri, and Hollywood veterans like Megan Mullally and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the new series has many fans excited — including the books' author Rick Riordan.

In 2005, the first book in the Percy Jackson series was released, The Lightning Thief. The YA novel follows the young titular character as he discovers that he’s no ordinary student but rather a demigod.

The book became a massive success and spawned a complete universe filled with sequels and spinoffs. It was adapted into a film in 2010, starring Logan Lerman, Sean Bean and Rosario Dawson — and is now getting its first-ever series adaptation at Disney+.

Related: The Original Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Cast: Where Are They Now?

Riordan told Today in 2023 that working with the new cast was the most exciting part of making the series. “Oh, Walker and Aryan and Leah are so great," he said. "They're so bright and dedicated and funny and just really just nice people ... I respect their work. And I just think they're fantastic kids."

Here's everything to know about the cast bringing Percy Jackson and the Olympians to life, including where they’re from, what else they’ve starred in and what roles they have coming up.

Walker Scobell as Perseus “Percy” Jackson

Walker Scobell stars as Percy Jackson, a demigod who is the son of Poseidon. In the series, Percy is struggling to deal with his surprising new powers when he’s accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt.

Scobell was born into a military family and spent his childhood moving across America, living in California, Colorado and Pennsylvania. He’s still new to Hollywood, having only two previous acting credits, Secret Headquarters (2022) and The Adam Project (2022).

After the casting news for Percy Jackson was announced in April 2022, Scobell told PEOPLE that he was a bit scared to assume the role of Percy because of the books' passionate fans. "I was really excited, but I was a little bit nervous too," he said of the casting, noting that the former movie's actors hadn't reached out to him. "I didn't want to let anybody down, you know? It's a massive fanbase."

In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Riordan complimented the young actor's portrayal of the character.

“Walker's Percy is just totally spot-on," the author said. "Walker has that sense of alchemy. Everybody says this about him when they watch him perform: This kid is a superstar. The screen loves him, and he is so good and so natural and so dedicated at everything."

It turns out Scobell knew a lot about Percy before getting the role, as Riordan added that Scobell is "a huge megafan of the books."

After Percy Jackson, the young actor will be working alongside Michael Douglas in the drama Blood Knot.

Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase

Leah Jeffries stars as Annabeth Chase, the daughter of Athena.

Jeffries is originally from Detroit and began her acting career in 2015 when she was just 5, appearing in Empire as Lola Lyon. In 2022, she starred in two films, Something from Tiffany’s and the thriller Beast, alongside Idris Elba.

The young star told Entertainment Weekly in 2023 that she was excited to portray a new, different version of Annabeth than what has been seen before.

"I'm playing a character that is a different person, different hair color, different skin tones, and all that. That's what the prototype was," Jeffries said. "Just to hear that I'm playing her different was like, 'Wow, I'm now gonna be an inspiration to other girls.' "

"My experience filming the series has been phenomenal and unbelievable," the young actress added.

Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood

Aryan Simhadri stars as Grover Underwood, a satyr who is one of Percy’s closest friends.

Before joining the cast of Percy Jackson, Simhadri was already appearing in various Disney movies and TV shows. He’s had roles in shows like Just Roll with It and Mira, Royal Detective, as well as movies including Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) and Trevor: The Musical (2022).

Simhadri told Entertainment Weekly in 2023 that he loved the Percy Jackson books growing up. "It was the second book series I ever read, I think, and it left a huge impression on me," he said. "Like, not just, 'Oh, those books are cool,' but they helped me. I grew up with them, as I'm sure a lot of people did."

In a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly Simhadri said that playing a satyr in Percy Jackson required him to master a unique skill.

“I learned how to walk like a goat. I do that pretty much every day on set, in conjunction with the [visual] effects that I wear,” he said. “And it’s gotten to the point where just out in public I’ll be walking on my toes like a goat, and I have to consciously put my heel down on the ground.”

Simhadri shares updates on his professional and personal life on his Instagram, including moments with one of his close friends, fellow child star Mckenna Grace.

Related: 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Star Mckenna Grace Has Played Younger Versions of These Famous Actors

Virginia Kull as Sally Jackson

Virginia Kull plays Sally Jackson, Percy’s mom who is willing to do anything to protect him.

Before landing her role on the Disney+ series, Kull had starred in television series for over a decade. She had recurring roles in Boardwalk Empire, Big Little Lies and the vampire series NOS4A2. Kull has also acted on stage including Theophilus North in 2006 and Rapture, Blister, Burn in 2012.

Off-screen, she’s been married to Ryan Howard Young since 2009.

Glynn Turman as Chiron

Glynn Turman plays Chiron, a centaur who disguises himself as a teacher at Percy’s school.

Born in New York City, Turman has been an integral figure in the entertainment industry for over 60 years. He made his Broadway debut when he was just 12, starring in A Raisin in the Sun, and since then, he’s appeared in major films and TV series.

His credits include hit movies like Gremlins (1984) and Burlesque (2010) and series like A Different World, The Wire and How to Get Away with Murder. In 2023, Turman starred in Rustin and 80 for Brady, among others.

Related: The Cast of 'The Wire': Where Are They Now?

In his personal life, Turman has been married three times. He married his current wife Jo-Ann Allen in 1992 and was previously married to Aretha Franklin.

He and Franklin were together from 1978 to 1984. Though they had no children together, both already had kids from previous marriages — Turman had three children from a previous marriage to Ula Walker and Franklin had four sons. After Franklin died in 2018, Turman told PEOPLE about his final visit with the legendary singer.

“I was able to feel her pulse, which was strong. So she was fighting ’til the very end,” the actor said. “She’s always been a warrior — a strong, strong woman and a fighter.”

After Percy Jackson, Turman will star in the Western Horizon: An American Saga with Kevin Costner, Jena Malone and Sienna Miller, among others.

Jason Mantzoukas as Dionysus

Jason Mantzoukas stars as Dionysus. Also known as “Mr. D," he runs Camp Half-Blood, a training facility for demigods.

Mantzoukas was born and raised in the Boston area and has his roots in comedy. Before breaking into show business, he studied improv at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) and was taught by Amy Poehler.

In a conversation with fellow UCB-alum Nick Offerman for Interview Magazine, Mantzoukas explained how improv training helped him make a name for himself in Hollywood.

"Once [Adam] McKay and [Will] Ferrell were making those movies that had a lot of improvisation ... suddenly there was a demand for people who could improvise. And there was this whole class of people who had been already trained for this skill set."

After breaking into the industry, Mantzoukas became a writer and actor known for shows like The League, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place. He’s also an accomplished voice actor who has starred in Big Mouth, Star Trek: Prodigy and Invincible.

Megan Mullally as Alecto

Megan Mullally plays Alecto, Percy’s math teacher who secretly serves the god Hades.

Mullally has had a long career in television, scoring eight Emmy nominations (and winning twice) for her iconic role as Karen Walker in Will & Grace. She has continued to star in TV series, including Childrens Hospital and the animated sitcom The Great North.

Off-screen, Mullally is married to fellow actor Offerman. The two have been together since 2000 and got married in 2003. Since then, the couple have worked on numerous projects together — including Mullally joining the cast of Parks & Recreation with the recurring role of Tammy Swanson.

Related: Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally's Relationship Timeline

On top of film and television, the duo have also starred in an off-broadway production of Annapurna together and co-wrote a 2018 memoir called The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, which went on to become a New York Times bestseller.

After Percy Jackson, Mullally will star in The Fabulous Four, which is about a woman's friendship with her bridesmaids. Joining Mullally in the cast are Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Bruce Greenwood.

Timm Sharp as Gabe Ugliano

Timm Sharp plays Gabe Ugliano, Percy’s abusive and distant stepfather.

Sharp was born in Fargo, North Dakota, and landed his first major acting role in 2001 when he starred in the Judd Apatow sitcom Undeclared. He has also had recurring roles in shows like ‘Til Death and Enlightened.

After acting as Ugliano, Sharp will star in the miniseries Apples Never Fall about a seemingly perfect family hiding a dark secret. Also acting in the limited series are Annette Bening, Sam Neill and Alison Brie.

Adam Copeland as Ares

Adam Copeland stars as Ares, the son of Zeus who is the arrogant god of war.

Copeland has had a few roles in other series, including Haven and Vikings, but he’s best known as the professional wrestler Edge. He started competing in the WWE in 1998 and in October 2023, Copeland left the entertainment group to join the rival wrestling organization AEW.

At the time, Copeland told CBS Sports how special his final WWE fight was. “I'll always have that night with me," the former wrestler said. "That will be one of the most special nights in my career, always."

He also wrote an autobiography in 2004 chronicling his life in wrestling titled Adam Copeland On Edge. In his personal life, he’s been married to fellow wrestler Beth Phoenix since 2016.

Lance Reddick as Zeus

Lance Reddick plays Zeus, the god of sky and thunder — in the show, he believes Percy has stolen his lightning bolt.

Before portraying Zeus, Reddick was best known for starring as Charon in the John Wick film series and also had roles in hit TV shows like American Horror Story, Fringe and Bosch. He even costarred in The Wire with fellow Percy Jackson castmate Turman.

The actor died in March 2023 at the age of 60, just a week before John Wick: Chapter 4 was released.

Percy Jackson will serve as Reddick’s final television role, but he still has numerous upcoming film appearances, completed before his death, including reprising his role as Charon in the John Wick spinoff Ballerina.

Toby Stephens as Poseidon

Toby Stephens stars as Poseidon, the god of the sea and Percy’s biological father.

Before breaking into Hollywood, Stephens got his start in theater, performing with the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company in England. Throughout the '90s he starred in classic Shakespeare plays, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

He later had roles in films like Die Another Day (2002) and starred in shows including Black Sails and Lost in Space.

Stephens comes from a family of actors. His father is prominent stage actor Sir Robert Stephens and his mom is Dame Maggie Smith. The couple were together from 1967 to 1975 and had two children, Toby and his brother, actor Chris Larkin.

Related: Maggie Smith's 2 Sons: Everything to Know

Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan

Charlie Bushnell stars as Luke Castellan, the son of Hermes, who descends into darkness after feeling like the gods haven't done enough to prevent suffering in the world.

Bushnell is still new to Hollywood and Percy Jackson will be his second major acting credit — his first role was starring as Bobby in the Disney+ series Diary of a Future President.

Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hermes

Lin-Manuel Miranda stars as Hermes, the messenger of the gods and Luke’s father.

Miranda has been one of the most prolific entertainers of the last decade. Before joining the cast of Percy Jackson, he wrote and starred in Tony-winning musicals like In the Heights — which became a film in 2021 — and Hamilton, and wrote the hit Disney film Encanto (2021).

He’s also a director and actor, having directed the movie tick, tick… BOOM! (2021) and starring in shows like His Dark Materials.

Miranda has earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Emmy, Tony and Grammy awards. He's also been nominated for two Oscars.

After Percy Jackson, Miranda will star in the dramedy The Making Of alongside Diane Keaton and Blake Lively.

Jay Duplass as Hades

Jay Duplass stars as the villainous Hades, the god of the underworld.

Duplass is a Hollywood hyphenate, holding roles as an actor, director, writer and producer. Behind the camera, he’s produced and directed movies like Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) and shows like Somebody Somewhere. On the acting side, Duplass has starred in series including The Mindy Project and Transparent.

He’s also not the only member of his family in Hollywood. His brother is Mark Duplass, who has starred in films including Bombshell (2019) and multiple series like The Morning Show.

Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue

Dior Goodjohn stars as Clarisse La Rue, the daughter of Ares and a bully who picks on Percy.

Goodjohn landed her first acting role as a kid playing a young Santana on Glee in 2013. Since then, she’s had recurring roles in shows like Head of the Class and Are You Afraid of the Dark?.

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