Summary

• The Disney+ series stays true to the spirit of the Percy Jackson books, with well-developed characters and exciting obstacles.
• The relationship between Percy, Annabelle, and Grover is central to the story and explores themes of trust, belonging, and friendship.
• The cast has great chemistry, particularly the trio of Jeffries, Scobell, and Simhadri, who work together seamlessly.

It’s been a minute since I’ve read the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, but I them quite fondly. The author excelled at developing characters, building worlds, and establishing obstacles for the title character and his friends. Taking its influence from Greek mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians was fun, intriguing, and exciting. The long-awaited Disney+ series, created by Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg (who splits showrunning duties with Dan Shotz), embodies much of the same spirit that made the book so enjoyable. The relationship between Percy, Annabelle, and Grover is lovely; they’re the heart of the show and their dynamic is central to the overarching story, which builds upon themes of trust, belonging, and friendship. If there’s any reason to watch season 1, it’s for them, and the way in which the adaptation smartly takes things one step at a time without ever feeling dull.

What Is Percy Jackson & The Olympians About?

The Disney+ series follows Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), a 12-year-old who discovers he’s a demigod and the son of Poseidon who can harness great power. When he’s brought to Camp Half-Blood, the only place demigod children are safe from the monsters sent to kill them, Percy meets Chiron (Glynn Turman), a centaur who oversees the camp and guides the demigods in their powers. Percy’s called upon to go on a quest to retrieve Zeus’ stolen bolt. He’s ed by Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri), a satyr tasked with protecting him, and Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), a daughter of Athena who’s been itching to prove herself on a quest.

Percy Jackson knows that the character's journey is the most enjoyable part, and leans into that as it gets stronger with each episode.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Has The Book's Spirit

Percy Jackson and the Olympians stays true to its source material. Unlike the movies, which aged up its characters and felt more haphazard in execution, the series dives into its world without shirking its responsibilities to character development. Each episode (the first four of which were provided for review) feels like one chapter, contained while tying back to the overarching narrative. Percy and Annabeth’s ages are in-line with the journeys they go on, and the way they feel about their respective lives and parents (making them older never made much sense). And, though there is quite a bit of exposition at first to set up the mythical world Percy explores after being kept in the dark, the pacing and intrigue keep us from detaching.

The series works because it keeps all the important elements from the book and builds upon them. The characters are what drive the story forward, and it’s nice that the series allows them breathing room while never forgetting about the quest itself. After all, I wouldn’t care about the quest or the gods if not for Percy and his friends, and the writing team understands this as they work to highlight them as much as possible. The strength of the characters makes the story more engaging, and it helps that the stakes are high for these kids as they travel. Seeing mythological creatures is thrilling, and the tension cuts like a subtle knife long before the action, which is serviceable, kicks in. Percy Jackson knows that the character's journey is the most enjoyable part, and leans into that as it gets stronger with each episode.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians’ Cast Has Great Chemistry

Percy Jackson’s cast is primarily made up of kids, and it reminded me a bit of the first two Harry Potter movies. The adult actors are great, but the child actors are still trying to find their groove. It takes them some time, but they’re up to the task. Crucially, Jeffries, Scobell, and Simhadri have excellent chemistry. They work well together, and I was instantly sold on them as a trio — their disparate personalities work in tandem together, underscoring their strengths as individuals and as a group. The actors’ portrayals bring balance to their scenes, and Jeffries especially does a lot with her facial expressions to give away Annabeth’s hesitation and other emotions. The trio works like a well-oiled machine, and it’s lovely to watch as they evolve.

The ing cast is also excellent, though they obviously get far less to work with. Jason Mantzoukas as Dionysus is especially excellent; he’s all sour digs and sarcastic wit rolled into one. Megan Mullaly as Alecto, one of Hades’ Furies, is restrained but no less sinister, and Glynn Turman imbues Chiron with wisdom and patience. But it’s Jessica Parker Kennedy who is a highlight, bringing intrigue and subtlety to her character. All told, the entire cast delivers, and paired with the story’s solid evolution and pacing, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a sweet, adventurous, and focused adaptation that I look forward to finishing.

The first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday, December 20. The remaining six episodes will air weekly.