Courtney B. Vance has joined the cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Disney+ series based on Rick Riordan’s series of children’s fantasy novels, Variety reports.
Vance, known for his roles in television series including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Lovecraft Country, will play the Greek god Zeus on Percy Jackson. He replaces Lance Reddick, who originally played the role and died last year at the age of 60.
Riordan’s bestselling novels, about a young demigod and his friends who must protect the Earth from Titans, launched in 2005 with The Lightning Thief; the seventh and latest book in the series, Wrath of the Triple Goddess, was published in September. Two films based on the books were released in 2010 and 2013, respectively, to widespread critical disdain.
The Disney+ series, which stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri, aired its first episode in December 2023. The show has been a hit with critics and viewers.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to join the extraordinary cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!” Vance said. “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.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
