Fans planning their next quest to Camp Half-Blood have one less mystery to solve. The episodes for both seasons of Disney+’s hit series Percy Jackson and the Olympians follow a distinct format, designed for easy and engaging viewing. Instead of sprawling, hour-long chapters, the show features tighter episodes that get straight to the adventure.
The first season, which adapts The Lightning Thief, set the standard with episodes running between 32 and 43 minutes. This trend continues with the show’s second season, which premiered with two episodes on December 10, 2025, and adapts The Sea of Monsters. For viewers around the world, new episodes are released on Disney+ at 12:00 a.m. PT each Wednesday, which translates to 3:00 a.m. ET in the US and 8:00 a.m. GMT in the UK.
A Closer Look at Season 1 Episode Runtimes
The eight-episode first season established the show’s pacing. The runtime was never just about filling time; it was about matching the rhythm of Rick Riordan’s books.
- The shortest episodes were Episode 4: “I Plunge to My Death” and Episode 6: “We Take A Zebra to Vegas,” each running for 32 minutes.
- The longest episode was Episode 5: “We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium,” which clocked in at 43 minutes.
- The season finale, “The Prophecy Comes True,” had a runtime of 41 minutes.
On average, episodes lasted around 40 minutes. This consistent format helped the series avoid unnecessary side plots and focus on core character development and the main quest.
What to Expect from Season 2’s Episode Format
With the new season already underway, the episode structure remains a key part of the show’s identity. Season 2 premiered on December 10, 2025, with the release of its first two episodes.
While an official minute-by-minute list for the new season is not yet available, reports indicate the episodes will be slightly longer, in the range of 40 to 50 minutes each. However, the show maintains its commitment to a compact format, with episodes expected to stay under the one-hour mark. This allows the story of Percy’s journey into the Sea of Monsters—to find the Golden Fleece and save his friend Grover—to move forward without delay.
The full release schedule for Season 2 is as follows:
- December 10, 2025: Episode 1: “I Play Dodgeball with Cannibals” & Episode 2: “Demon Pigeons Attack”
- December 17, 2025: Episode 3: “We Board the Princess Andromeda”
- December 24, 2025: Episode 4: “Clarisse Blows Up Everything”
- December 31, 2025: Episode 5: “We Check In to C.C.’s Spa & Resort”
- January 7, 2026: Episode 6: “Nobody Gets the Fleece”
- January 14, 2026: Episode 7: “I Go Down with the Ship”
- January 21, 2026: Episode 8: “The Fleece Works Its Magic Too Well”
Why the Shorter Runtime Is a Strategic Choice
The decision to keep episodes concise is a deliberate creative and strategic choice for a family-oriented series. In an era where viewers often choose to binge-watch, shorter episodes are more digestible and can make a full season feel less like a marathon. This format respects the audience’s time, especially its younger viewers, and helps maintain a brisk pace that mirrors the adventure-filled novels.
The focus remains on emotional character moments and advancing the plot, trimming down the lengthy sequences that can sometimes slow down fantasy adaptations. This approach has been part of the show’s success, contributing to positive reviews and several awards, including wins at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
The Core Cast Sails Into New Adventures
The heart of the series continues to be its young cast, who all return for the second quest. Walker Scobell leads as the titular hero, Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon. He is joined by Leah Sava Jeffries as the wise Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood, Percy’s satyr best friend.
Season 2 sees other campers stepping into larger roles. Charlie Bushnell’s Luke Castellan and Dior Goodjohn’s Clarisse La Rue, who were recurring characters in the first season, are now main cast members. They are joined by new series regular Daniel Diemer, who plays Tyson, Percy’s loyal Cyclops half-brother.
The supporting cast of gods and mortals also expands. Timothy Simons joins as the cursed King Tantalus, the new Activities Director at Camp Half-Blood. Meanwhile, following the passing of actor Lance Reddick, the role of Zeus is now played by Courtney B. Vance.
How the Series Differs from the Previous Films
This television adaptation marks a fresh start for Percy Jackson on screen, distinct from the two films released in the early 2010s. A key difference is longevity; while the film series ended after its second movie, The Sea of Monsters, the Disney+ series was renewed for a third season in March 2025, which will adapt The Titan’s Curse.
The series also benefits from the direct involvement of Rick Riordan, the author of the original book series. Riordan co-created the television show and serves as an executive producer, which has helped ensure a closer fidelity to the source material’s spirit and plot. This collaborative effort aims to deliver the story that long-time book fans have been waiting for.
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