If the quick-witted messenger god Hermes in Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians seemed instantly familiar, you are right. That actor is none other than the multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda. Known for creating the global phenomenon Hamilton and writing beloved songs for movies like Moana and Encanto, Miranda makes a guest appearance as the charismatic deity.
This casting brings one of the book’s memorable gods to the screen with a performer famous for his energy and charm. The series, which follows a young demigod on a quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt, started its first season in December 2023. Miranda’s Hermes, first seen delivering a mysterious package at the Empire State Building in Episode 3, is set to have a more significant role as the story continues.
Who Is the Actor Behind Hermes in the Disney+ Series?
The actor playing Hermes is Lin-Manuel Miranda. While a new face to this particular role in a live-action series, Miranda is one of the most recognizable creative forces in modern entertainment. His career took off with the Broadway musical In the Heights before he changed theater forever with Hamilton, a show where he also originated the lead role of Alexander Hamilton.
Beyond Broadway, his music has reached millions worldwide. He wrote the songs “How Far I’ll Go” for Moana and contributed to the soundtrack of Encanto, including the massive hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”. He has also appeared in front of the camera in projects like HBO’s His Dark Materials and even directed the film adaptation of tick, tick…BOOM!.
For Miranda, joining Percy Jackson was a family affair. He and his son are both fans of Rick Riordan’s original book series, which made the project a personal draw.
Hermes’s Role and First Appearance in the Series
In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the winged messenger of the gods, a guide for travelers, and a clever trickster. The Disney+ series captures this spirit, describing him as “charismatic and boisterous, the life of the party”.
He made his first appearance in Episode 3, titled “We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium.” The episode ends with a figure dressed as a mailman delivering the severed head of Medusa to the gods atop the Empire State Building. This brief, wordless cameo confirmed that Lin-Manuel Miranda would be portraying Hermes.
His introduction in the series happens much earlier than in Riordan’s first book, The Lightning Thief, signaling that the show might be weaving his story—and his strained relationship with his son, Luke Castellan—into the narrative sooner. Producer Dan Shotz spoke about Miranda’s connection to the material, noting, “His kids are big fans of the books, and his connection to the material was great. He loved it and wanted to be a part of it”.
A Look Back at Other Actors Who Have Played Hermes
Lin-Manuel Miranda is not the first actor to portray Hermes in a Percy Jackson adaptation. The role has been played by two other actors in the earlier film series.
In the 2010 movie Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, the god Hermes was played by actor Dylan Neal. His appearance in that film was very brief.
For the sequel, 2013‘s Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, the role was recast. Veteran actor Nathan Fillion, known for Castle and Firefly, took over the part in a more expanded capacity. Fillion’s portrayal leaned into the character’s witty and charming nature, leaving a memorable mark on the films.
This means Miranda is now the third actor to bring the messenger god to life in a major Percy Jackson project, bringing his own unique energy to the beloved character.
What the Show’s Creators Say About the Casting
The producers of the Disney+ series were thrilled to bring Miranda into the world of Percy Jackson. Showrunner Jon Steinberg highlighted how Miranda’s natural talents align with the character.
“That character was supposed to be fun in all of the ways that when you start thinking about Lin inhabiting it, of course he’s brilliant,” Steinberg said. He added that Miranda is “a step ahead of every moment, every punchline, in every turn in a scene. You just really want it to feel like there was somebody in that role who was fun”.
This praise points to why Miranda was an ideal choice for Hermes. The character is meant to be intelligent, quick, and engaging—traits that Miranda embodies in many of his most famous roles.
Where You Have Seen Lin-Manuel Miranda Before
If you recognized Lin-Manuel Miranda’s face or voice, it is likely from one of his many celebrated projects across stage, screen, and music.
- Theater and Music: He is the creative mind behind the Broadway smashes Hamilton and In the Heights. He also wrote songs for Disney’s Moana (including “How Far I’ll Go”) and Encanto, whose soundtrack topped charts globally.
- Television: Miranda has taken on acting roles in series like His Dark Materials on HBO, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- Film: He directed the acclaimed Netflix movie tick, tick…BOOM! and voiced characters in animated films like Mary Poppins Returns and Vivo.
His casting as Hermes continues his trend of appearing in major fantasy franchises, following his role as Lee Scoresby in His Dark Materials.
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What to Expect from Hermes in Future Episodes
While his initial appearance was a cameo, the character of Hermes is poised for a larger role in Percy Jackson’s story. In the books, Hermes has a complicated and strained relationship with his son, Luke Castellan (played by Charlie Bushnell in the series), which becomes an important emotional thread.
The official character description notes that Hermes is “hesitant to help Percy and his friends on their quest as sometimes getting involved is more trouble than it’s worth”. This conflict—between his duties as a god and his feelings as a father—will likely be explored as the season progresses.
With new episodes of the first season having been released, viewers have already seen more of Miranda’s portrayal. The series builds toward the characters’ quest to find Zeus’s stolen master bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
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