One of the actors in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 addresses his casting. Adapting the beloved Rick Riordan novels, the first season of the Greek mythology-based series came out in 2023. Unlike the much-hated 2010 movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, the Disney+ series was well-received. Percy Jackson got positive reviews overall, getting a 91% Tomatometer from critics. One of the show’s champions was ScreenRant‘s Mae Abdulbaki, who wrote that “Percy Jackson & the Olympians has the book’s spirit.”
In an interview with ScreenRant on The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 red carpet, Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 2 actor Timothy Simons addresses his role in the series. Simons described his experience as “an incredibly fun, wildly good time.” He noted that the adult actors in the series get the opportunity to be “so silly” while “all the kids have to take everything deadly seriously.” Simons also said his own kids respected him more after he got the part. Check out the full quote from Simons below:
ScreenRant: I’m so excited to see you in Percy Jackson season 2. Some have said you are born to play Tantalus. How did you answer that call?
Timothy Simons: I found that one to be an incredibly fun, wildly good time. All the adults in that show get to be so silly and just have a great time, and all the kids have to take everything deadly seriously.
But this provided me with a lot of street cred for my kids, who had just gotten into Percy Jackson when I got cast. It really helped out around the house.
What This Means For Percy Jackson & The Olympians Season 2
Tantalus Was Cut From The Movie
As referenced in the interview, Simons is slated to play Tantalus in the upcoming season. First appearing in the book The Sea of Monsters, Tantalus is a Greek demigod king who is one of Zeus’ sons. He is a disliked figure in the book series, shown to be sadistic and cruel to campers at Camp Half Blood. Controversially, Tantalus was cut from the Sea of Monsters movie despite Star Wars legend Mark Hamill being cast to play him. As such, the Percy Jackson series will be the first time that audiences get to see a version of Tantalus.
Simons’ description of his time on the show speaks to his interpretation of Tantalus. Given the character’s antagonistic energy, there is a world wherein that character could be portrayed pretty unforgivingly. Simons, however, describes the experience as “fun” and “silly,” which would not indicate that he has to play the character particularly intensely. Instead, he likely offers a more caricatured or over-the-top version of the character that allows him to lean into the show’s whimsical elements.
Our Take On Simons As Tantalus
His Past Work Shows His Capibilities
Simons may not be a universally well-known actor, but his background proves his ability to play Tantalus with ease. He played Officer Stevens in the Goosebumps movie, which was similarly aimed at young audiences. He’s also had roles in Veep and Nobody Wants This, which show his abilities to play both a jerk and a more comedic role, respectively. I am confident in his ability to channel these qualities in Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 2, making him a great choice for the role.