Percy Jackson Casts Courtney B. Vance as Zeus Following Lance Reddick’s Passing

Disney has announced that Emmy Award winner Courtney B. Vance will take over the role of Zeus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians following the tragic death of Lance Reddick. Reddick, who portrayed Zeus in the first season, passed away in 2023, and his portrayal was one of his final roles. As Zeus, Vance will play the father of Thalia Grace (Tamara Smart), his demigod daughter. The first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians premiered in December of 2023.

Executive Producer Dan Shotz commented on the recasting, sharing, “Finding someone to step into this role going forward was not an easy task, but when icon Courtney B. Vance answered the call, we knew the Gods were listening. This legend of cinema not only wanted to honor the books, but wanted to honor Lance’s legacy. We can’t wait for you all to see him take the throne.”

Vance recently starred in FX’s limited series Grotesquerie alongside Niecy Nash (When They See Us) and Raven Goodwin (Abbott Elementary). He also stars in the drama series 61st Street, which premiered its second season on The CW this summer. Vance has won two Emmy Awards for his roles in American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson and Lovecraft Country.

The second season will introduce several new cast members; Daniel Diemer (Under the Bridge) will portray Tyson, Percy’s Cyclops half-brother. Additionally, Sandra Bernhard (Pose), Margaret Cho (Hacks), and Kristen Schaal (What We Do in the Shadows) will bring the quirky Gray Sisters to life. Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) will play Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Annabeth’s mother. Other returning cast members include Leah Jeffries as Annabeth, Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, Aryan Simhadri as Grover, and Charlie Bushnell as Luke.

Season 2, which follows the events of The Sea of Monsters, the second book in Rick Riordan’s series, began filming in Vancouver in August and is currently slated to premiere in 2025.

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