The new Disney TV show has most of the ingredients to make a lasting adaptation to accompany Riordan’s masterpiece, for generations of fans to come
The beloved book series has finally gotten the faithful on-screen adaptation it deserves…or has it? Let’s dive into the tumultuous world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and reflect on whether the splash the premiere has made will leave lasting ripples (see what I did there?)
For those new to the saga, Percy Jackson is a 12-year-old modern demigod, son of Poseidon, god of the seas. He and his best friends, Grover (a satyr) and Annabeth (a daughter of Athena), embark on various quests in a world where Greek gods, goddesses, monsters, and Titans are real.
The first adaptation was the 2010 film series, which was met with widespread disappointment from fans, since it flagrantly deviates from the original storyline of Rick Riordan’s five book young-adult series.
When it was announced that Percy Jackson would be revisited by Disney, this time with Riordan on board and actively involved in the casting and writing, fans were thrilled. The series premiered on December 19, 2023, and was met with generally positive reviews.
Personally, I was cautious about my excitement for the series, especially because of the casting; it did not correspond to the character descriptions in the books (though it is important to note that the characters actually look their age in the TV series, 12, rather than in their early 20s, like in the movies). The two-episode premiere was certainly a breath of fresh air, but several points still call for some improvement.
Nevertheless, I was struck by some particularly strong performances from Aryan Simhadri (Grover, Percy’s best friend), Dior Goodjohn (Clarisse LaRue, Percy’s bully), and Jason Mantzoukas (Dionysus). These actors may not match the physical description from the books, but they do a fine job capturing their characters in their facial expressions and aura.
The latter especially brings a humorous edge to a character that’s described in the books as disinterested and condescending. Though the dialogue often feels stilted, the actors are clearly doing the best they can to bring the characters to life.
Virginia Kull’s portrayal of Sally Jackson (Percy’s mother, who plays a key role) was a letdown for me; Book-Sally is sweet and gentle, and has a quiet strength about her. Her kidnapping is the driving force behind Percy’s first quest, where he must literally go to the Underworld and back for her.
Kull’s Sally, in my opinion, fails to capture the profound relationship with Percy. In a scene that deviates from the books, where she reveals Percy’s true identity to him, she apathetically shouts over his pleas to stop. She is needlessly sharp and forceful, and while she physically corresponds to the character description, her portrayal misses its mark.
The filming locations in British Columbia, as well as the sets, are visually stunning. Lush forests, glittering lakes, swirling fog, and pummeling rain are complemented by the swells of a powerful musical score, successfully submerging us in Percy’s world. The cabins built in honor of each Olympian god and their children are also incredibly intricate, and seem to have their own fitting personalities.
The show has accomplished drawing in viewers of all ages, with breathtaking cinematography and sets, and relative loyalty to the source material. I hope the pacing will gradually feel more deliberate, rather than like a cursory, anticlimactic skimming of the book. I will keep an eye on the show as it progresses, since it has most of the ingredients to make a lasting adaptation to accompany Riordan’s masterpiece, for generations of fans to come.
