Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrives on Disney+ on December 10, adapting the second book in Rick Riordan’s series, The Sea of Monsters. While the quest will feature monsters and magic, series creator Riordan explains the core of the new season is something much more personal and timely: the difficult choices that define heroism and family.
A Deeper Quest: From Monsters to Moral Choices
The new season follows Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), his friend Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), and his new Cyclops half-brother Tyson (Daniel Diemer) as they sail into the dangerous Sea of Monsters. Their goal is to find the magical Golden Fleece to save their home, Camp Half-Blood, and rescue their satyr friend Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri). However, Riordan says the external quest is a backdrop for a more complicated internal struggle.
“This is about choosing sides, and how do you know which side is the right side?” Riordan asked in a recent interview. “Luke, we know he’s the quote-unquote villain… but he’s not wrong. He is acting on principles that make a lot of sense, and the gods are capricious, and they are bad rulers and bad parents sometimes.”
This theme is introduced early when Percy’s mother, Sally Jackson (Virginia Kull), tells him that being a real hero means standing up for others. Riordan says the entire season tests what that idea truly means and what it costs to live by it.
A Story About Family Ripped Apart
The conflict forces the young demigods to question their loyalties and their “found family” at Camp Half-Blood. Luke Castellan (Charlie Bushnell), their former friend turned antagonist, is actively leading a rebellion against the neglectful Greek gods. Riordan draws a direct line between the show’s drama and real-world experiences.
“These are their friends, these are their found family that we’re talking about, and it’s being ripped apart. It’s being ripped in half. I think that’s something we can relate to these days. There are a lot of feelings about families being ripped apart.”
He further connected the theme to the modern world, noting how technology helps people find their communities but can also create isolation. “How do we talk to one another if we’re only talking to the people that we like? That agree with us?” he said.
New Faces and Bigger Stakes
The expanding story introduces key new characters. Daniel Diemer joins as the lovable, optimistic Tyson, Percy’s Cyclops brother who struggles to find belonging. Tamara Smart has been cast as Thalia Grace, the daughter of Zeus whose backstory with Luke and Annabeth will be explored.
The gods also see new portrayals. After the passing of Lance Reddick, the role of Zeus has been taken over by Courtney B. Vance. Andra Day will portray the goddess Athena, Annabeth’s mother. Other notable cast additions include Timothy Simons as the sinister camp director Tantalus and a trio of actresses playing the Gray Sisters.
The actors note the scale and maturity of the story have grown. “Each season the stakes get a little higher and the color grading gets a little darker, and the storylines become more grounded,” said Dior Goodjohn, who returns as the fierce Clarisse.
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Staying True to the Heart of the Story
Fans can expect the eight-episode season to follow the major plot points of The Sea of Monsters, with episode titles taken directly from the book’s chapters. However, the show will use its format to deepen character moments that the books could only hint at, such as the pivotal “Sirens” scene that reveals Annabeth’s deepest desires.
The young cast, who are currently filming Season 3 in Vancouver, say they are conscious of growing into their roles. They and the producers are committed to preserving the slow-burn development of the relationship between Percy and Annabeth, known to fans as “Percabeth,” sticking to the timeline from the books.
The future of the series is secured, as Disney+ has already renewed the show for a third season, which began production in August 2025 and will adapt the third book, The Titan’s Curse.
Ahead of the premiere, Disney is launching “Percy Jackson: Siege of Monsters,” a new Fortnite island experience on December 9. Players will be able to explore Camp Half-Blood, get claimed by a god, and battle monsters from the series.
For Riordan, the ultimate message of the season mirrors the difficult navigation of its heroes. “I guess the lesson of Sea of Monsters is that the journey is difficult, but it is not insurmountable,” he said. “Even between the impossible choice of Scylla and Charybdis, there is a way through — and there might be a third way you haven’t thought about.”
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