14-year-old actor praises the new series’ ability to faithfully capture the essence of Rick Riordan’s novels.
Walker Scobell, the 14-year-old actor portraying Percy Jackson in the upcoming Disney+ TV adaptation, has praised the series for its ability to explore “every little detail” from the beloved books. Speaking at the premiere of Percy Jackson and the Olympians in London’s Leicester Square, Scobell explained how the episodic format of the show allows for deeper exploration of characters and storylines, giving fans of Rick Riordan’s novels a more complete experience.
“This series has something for everyone,” said Scobell. “Fans of the books will love it, and those who haven’t read the books yet will have a great opportunity to dive in. The format of the show really lets us flesh out each character and gives us the time to include every little detail from the books.”
Co-star Leah Jeffries, also 14, who plays Annabeth Chase, echoed Scobell’s sentiment, noting that their age aligns perfectly with the characters as written in the books. “This is a series we’re going to grow into, and we’re the right age to do it just like it is in the books, with all the detail included,” she added.
Rebecca Riordan, the show’s executive producer, also shared her thoughts on the authenticity of the adaptation. “It’s very faithful to the books, but because the series isn’t told in first-person, we’re able to expand the world beyond Percy’s point of view. We get to explore moments that weren’t seen in the books because Percy wasn’t there for them,” she explained.
The series follows a young Percy Jackson as he embarks on a perilous journey across America to return Zeus’s master bolt and prevent a catastrophic war. After the loss of his mother, Percy seeks refuge at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children, where he must confront his true origins and prove himself.
The new series will be a fresh take after the 2010 and 2013 film adaptations, which featured Logan Lerman as Percy. Percy Jackson and the Olympians will premiere with two episodes on Disney+ on December 20.
