Dafne Keen joins the cast of Percy Jackson Season 3

Disney is continuing to expand its popular "Percy Jackson" universe: According to industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, "Logan" star Dafne Keen is now joining the cast of the third season.

Keen is to play the role of the goddess Artemis. Artemis, goddess of the moon and the hunt, is described as a majestic, nature-loving fighter who largely avoids contact with mortals. At her side, we will see Saara Chaudry as Zoë Nightshade. At Artemis' side for over 2000 years, Nightshade is a determined warrior who is willing to make great sacrifices for the good of others.

Also new to the cast are Levi Chrisopulos and Olive Abercrombie as the siblings Leo and Bianca di Angelo. The third season of the fantasy series "Percy Jackson" adapts the third book "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordans. While filming for the new season is already underway, the premiere of season 2 is still to come: It can be seen exclusively on Disney+ from December 10, 2025.

Percy Jackson in film and television: From controversial blockbusters to successful Disney+ series

Rick Riordan's book series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" has been one of the most popular fantasy sagas for young people since the mid-2000s. Millions of fans worldwide have followed the adventures of the young demigod, who has to assert himself in a modern world full of Greek mythology. So it's no wonder that Hollywood was quick to make a movie adaptation. However, the path from the big screen to the current Disney+ series was a rocky one – and impressively reflects how important a faithful adaptation is for loyal fan communities.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)

The first attempt to bring the books to the cinema was released in 2010 under the direction of Chris Columbus, who had previously celebrated great success with the first two "Harry Potter" films. Logan Lerman played the lead role of Percy, Alexandra Daddario was Annabeth and Brandon T. Jackson played Grover.

Although the film did passably well financially, reactions were mixed. Above all, fans criticized the significant deviations from the original: characters were older than in the book, many details were changed or omitted, and the tone was more geared towards a classic blockbuster adventure than Riordan's ironic, youth-oriented narrative style.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013)

Despite the criticism, the series received a sequel in 2013. The second film adapted the novel "The Sea of Monsters". Logan Lerman and his co-stars returned, this time directed by Thor Freudenthal. Here, too, a similar pattern emerged: solid action, visual effects, but little proximity to the original. Many fans once again complained that the essence of the books had been lost.

Commercially, the film fell short of expectations. This put an end to the planned movie series after just two parts. Riordan himself repeatedly expressed his disappointment with the adaptations and emphasized that he had had little influence on the screenplay or production.

The reboot: Disney+ takes a chance on the series

Years later, Disney took over the rights and launched an ambitious project: a series adaptation that would faithfully reproduce the five books in a modern form. Importantly, author Rick Riordan himself is closely involved in the production this time – as a consultant, scriptwriter and creative mind.

Season 1: Thieves in Olympus (2023/24)

The first season was released at the end of 2023 on Disney+ and covered the opening novel "Thieves on Olympus". Walker Scobell took on the role of Percy, Leah Sava Jeffries plays Annabeth, and Aryan Simhadri can be seen as Grover. The series was celebrated for its closeness to the original, its youth-friendly tone and its respectful adaptation of Greek mythology. Fans who had long criticized the films found the series to be a "true Percy Jackson experience".

Season 2: Under the Cyclops' spell (2025)

The second season has already been confirmed and will start on December 10, 2025. It adapts the second volume and introduces new characters – including the siblings Thalia Grace and Tyson. Expectations are high, as the series follows a clear plan: One book = one season.

Significance for the fans

The difference between the films and the series is enormous. While the movie adaptations were primarily conceived as classic blockbusters, the series focuses on character development and fidelity to the book. The direct involvement of Rick Riordan also ensures a high degree of authenticity.

What is particularly remarkable is that the series is attracting a new generation of viewers, while the original book readers from back then are now experiencing the realization of their youth books as adults. Disney+ has thus not only won back a loyal fan base, but also created the basis for a long-lasting franchise.

Outlook

With at least five planned seasons, "Percy Jackson" could cover the entire series of novels. It is also conceivable that spin-offs such as the Heroes of Olympus books or The Adventures of Apollo could one day be realized. After a difficult start in the cinema, the future of the demigod seems assured – this time in a form that will delight fans and critics alike.