Percy Jackson and The Olympianshas found its Athena. The Disney+ original series is an adaptation of the Rick Riordan book series of the same name, following the adventures of demigods Percy (Walker Scobell) and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) - who are the children of Poseidon and Athena respectively - and satyr Grover (Aryan Simhadri). The upcomingPercy Jackson and the Olympiansseason 2, which adapts the 2006 bookThe Sea of Monsters, has already added several new cast members, including Daniel Diemer as Percy’s Cyclops half-brother Tyson and Tamara Smart as Thalia, the daughter of Zeus.
On the officialDisney+Instagram account, the streamer shared a video ofThe United States vs. Billie Holidaystar Andra Day announcing that she had been cast as Athena, the goddess of wisdom, inPercy Jackson and The Olympiansseason 2. She shared that she “can’t wait to bring her to life and work alongside such talented actors.” See the video below:
Disney+also shareda first-look image of Annabeth alongside Athenaas part of the D23 Brazil event. They can be seen posing together while Athena wears a yellow jumpsuit and a crown of golden laurels while brandishing a spear. See that image below:
What This Means For Percy Jackson And The Olympians
Annabeth’s Story May Be More Robust
Although quite a few gods have already been featured in thePercy Jacksoncast, the divine figures tend to be aloof, which explains why Athena has not yet appeared. Although Athena does not play a major role in the originalSea of Monstersbook, her appearance in the upcoming seasonlikely means that Annabeth’s dynamic with her mother will be explored much more deeplyin the coming episodes.
The Greek gods featured inPercy Jacksonseason 1 included Dionysus (Jason Mantzoukas), Zeus (Lance Reddick), Hephaestus (Timothy Omundson), Hermes (Lin-Manuel Miranda), and Poseidon (Toby Stephens).
This increased emphasis on Annabeth’s arc would seem to reflect that season 2 will follow the structure of the originalPercy Jacksonbooksas faithfully as season 1, becauseThe Sea of Monsterssidelines Grover for a considerable time, as he spends the majority of the story kidnapped in a Cyclops' lair. This decreased emphasis on Grover will likely give more time for Annabeth to step into the spotlight, in addition to the characters Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn) and Luke (Charlie Bushnell), who have been promoted from recurring roles to series regulars in season 2.
Our Take On Athena’s Casting
Percy Jackson Has Made A Strong Choice
Because of how important and austere a figure Athena cuts in her daughter’s life, it is important that the goddess is brought to the screen by an actor who can supply the role with the proper gravity. Day’s background thus makes her a perfect fit forPercy Jackson and the Olympians. As a Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe winning performer and an Oscar nominee,she has the pedigree to imbue the character with the perfect grace and imposing cleverness.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Cast
Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows the journey of Percy Jackson as he embarks on a perilous quest to return Zeus’s master bolt. Joined by friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy confronts mythical challenges, seeking to avert a divine war and discover his place in the world.
