Before the second season hits screens, here is a look at the real-world spots across British Columbia where the magic of Percy Jackson and the Olympians was made. The first season built its version of America from a mix of physical Canadian locations and cutting-edge virtual sets, a strategy that continued for the even bigger adventures of Season 2.
The show’s initial production, under the code name Mink Golden, filmed from June 2022 to February 2023 primarily around Vancouver. For the upcoming season, cameras rolled again in British Columbia from August 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
The Real Camp Half-Blood and Yancy Academy
Two key locations from Percy’s early journey were found in the forests and cities of British Columbia. The iconic Camp Half-Blood was primarily brought to life at Minaty Bay on the shores of Howe Sound. Its natural setting of water and forests matched the description of the Long Island demigod sanctuary. Additional camp sets, including the cabins and archery range, were built on private property in Aldergrove, Langley.
Percy’s troublesome school, Yancy Academy, was filmed at Hycroft Manor in Vancouver. This historic 1911 mansion, now used for events by the University Women’s Club, provided the classic boarding school atmosphere.
Building New York and a Cross-Country Quest in BC
The production recreated landmarks from across the United States without leaving Canada. Scenes set at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan were shot on West Hastings Street in Vancouver’s financial district. The facade of the Empire State Building lobby was constructed using the front of a restaurant on West Hastings Street.
For the quest’s middle stages, the boardwalk at Westminster Pier Park in New Westminster stood in for a St. Louis setting along the Fraser River. The Simon Fraser University campus in Burnaby was transformed into a “Museum of Natural History” for sequences related to the Gateway Arch.
The StageCraft Revolution Behind the Scenes
A significant portion of the series was filmed using Industrial Light & Magic’s StageCraft technology. This system uses massive, ultra-high-definition LED screens to surround actors with digital environments in real time. The Volume stage at Mammoth Studios in Burnaby was a primary hub for this work.
“The story of Percy Jackson has such an epic scope,” author and show creator Rick Riordan said. “I am over the moon that we have forged such a great relationship [with ILM] to give this show such a cutting-edge look and feel.”
This technology was used for diverse locations, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Montauk cabin, and was the first project in Canada to use this specific ILM StageCraft space. The visual effects team aimed for a balance, using real fire and physical props whenever possible to ground the digital creatures.
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Bigger Practical Sets for Season 2’s Sea Adventure
The scale increased dramatically for the second season, which adapts The Sea of Monsters. While the Volume stage was again used, showrunners built extensive practical sets to depict the oceanic journey.
“Season 2 is epic. It is so huge what we were able to build,” said co-showrunner Craig Silverstein. “We are on the Sea of Monsters adventure. So we are out at sea. We are on a 175-foot ironclad ship. We are on cruise ships. We are in chariot races.”
Key outdoor filming for the new season included the Spanish Banks in Vancouver, where scenes with heavy lightning and fog effects were shot. The main Camp Half-Blood set in Langley and Aldergrove was expanded to include a quarter-mile track and large grandstands for a chariot race sequence. Downtown Vancouver’s West Hastings Street was again dressed as New York City for scenes involving Percy, Annabeth, and his new cyclops brother, Tyson.
The new season introduces a major character with Daniel Diemer joining the cast as Tyson. The cast also expands with Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Gray Sisters, and Courtney B. Vance taking on the role of Zeus. Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will premiere with two episodes on Disney+ on December 10, 2025.
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