Summary

• Discover a 90s gem with Ryan Gosling in Young Hercules, a hidden show similar to Percy Jackson in godly struggles and adventures.
• Both Young Hercules and Percy Jackson blend Greek mythology with unique storylines, appealing to different age groups with similar themes.
• Gosling's Hercules and Scobell's Percy share humor and complex family dynamics, making Young Hercules a great watch while waiting for Percy Jackson season 2.

As Percy Jackson and the Olympians gears up for season 2, those who enjoyed the show should check out a hidden 1990s gem starring none other than Ryan Gosling. Percy Jackson and the Olympians was a huge hit for Disney+ as it followed the titular demigod and his training at Camp Half-Blood. Along the way, the series, based on Rick Riordan's books, introduces a pantheon of Greek gods and demigods.

Similarly, the young hero in Gosling's Young Hercules struggles with coming into his powers and godly heritage. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert executive-produced Gosling's show, which originally aired on Fox Kids Network from 1998 to 1999. Though it only produced one season, it ran for a whopping 50 episodes. It may have the level of effects one would expect of a 90s kids show, but Gosling with "a fake tan, leather pants . . . fighting imaginary monsters" in an underrated role he feels he's the most like in real life (per Jake's Takes and BuzzFeed's Puppy Interview) is worth a watch to tide fans over till Percy Jackson season 2.

Ryan Gosling's Young Hercules Is A Great Show To Watch After Percy Jackson

On a basic level, the similarities between Percy Jackson and Young Hercules, a prequel to Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, are pretty startling. The premise of both shows is a young demigod training under the centaur Chiron (spelled "Cheiron" in Young Hercules) who goes on adventures with two friends while a scheming Ares sets him up. Like Percy Jackson, Cheiron heads training grounds for youth to become warriors, though Hercules's is not limited to demigods. Ares is a main antagonist, alongside other Olympians and gods, including Hera and Apollo.

Both Young Hercules and Percy Jackson take inspiration from Greek myths and heroes, but each take their own creative license with their storylines. Young Hercules explores ancient Greece, whereas Percy Jackson adapts the myths in the world of today. Tonally, Young Hercules appeals more to children and young teens, whereas the Percy Jackson show leans more mature and four-quadrant.

Gosling's Hercules Character Is Very Similar To Walker Scobell's Percy Jackson

Age difference aside (Gosling was 17 when filming started, Scobell 13), the blonde-haired, blue-eyed heroes share a sense of humor and a dislike for their godly fathers, whom they have never known. "He abandoned you," Hercules says to his mother in the pilot. His mother replies, "He gave me the thing I treasure most. You." Fittingly, the pilot is called "Treasure of Zeus."

The title also refers to Zeus's chalice, an item Hercules sets out to find and return to Zeus in the three-part opening to the season, not unlike how Percy quests to retrieve Zeus's bolt. It turns out it's a scheme by Ares to get Hercules in mortal peril. He loses Zeus's protection for his unknowing transgression and must take the chalice back to its original place.

Gosling's Hercules and Scobell's Percy both go on adventures with their friends (Hercules's trio is him, Iolaus, and Jason). Both contend with their messy mythological families. And both want to be nothing like their fathers, although it's apparent Hercules goes after the chalice in the hope of winning some approval from Zeus. Hercules, like Percy, also travels to the underworld in one episode to rescue a woman who saved his life. Funnily enough, Hercules is related to Perseus, whom Percy is based on.

Unfortunately, Young Hercules was not renewed for a second season. But its first season can keep Rick Riordan fans in the world of Greek myths and demigod adventures until Percy Jackson and the Olympians returns. Season 2 will adapt Riordan's second book, The Sea of Monsters.

Sources: Jake's Takes, BuzzFeed Celeb Puppy Interview