The casting of Thalia Grace in Percy Jackson and the Olympians connects directly to a beloved actor no longer with us. Series producer Dan Shotz has revealed that the late Lance Reddick, who played Zeus in Season 1, played a pivotal role in bringing actress Tamara Smart into the Disney+ series as his character’s demigod daughter.
The connection came through Reddick’s family. In a detailed Instagram post on December 26, 2025, following Smart’s first episode, Shotz shared that he received a call in mid-July 2024 from Stephanie Reddick, the actor’s widow. She personally recommended Smart for the role after a worldwide search was underway.
“She played Lance’s daughter on another series; she is very important to our family, and there is something so magical about her. No pressure, just take a look at her tape,” Stephanie Reddick told Shotz, as he recounted in his post.
Smart had previously played Lance Reddick’s on-screen daughter in Netflix’s live-action Resident Evil series, forging a bond with the actor and his family. For Shotz, the recommendation carried both promise and pressure.
“All I could think about is how do I tell Stephanie Reddick that most likely this isn’t going to be the person,” Shotz wrote. His concern vanished when Smart’s audition tape arrived.
The Audition That Secured the Role
Tamara Smart’s audition was decisive. Shotz described his reaction with “(woah)” upon seeing her tape and “(oh my)” after meeting her in person. The final test was a chemistry read with series star Walker Scobell, who plays Percy Jackson.
After their reading, Scobell’s immediate response was, “we are casting her, right?”. This sealed the deal for the production team.
Shotz concluded his post with high praise for Smart, calling her “a force, a talent with a deep, profound soul” and expressed his belief that she is “honoring Lance with every word that comes out of her mouth.” He thanked Stephanie and Lance Reddick “for finding us our Thalia”.
Tamara Smart’s Personal Connection to the Role
For Tamara Smart, landing the part of Thalia Grace is deeply personal. When her casting was announced, she released a statement highlighting her connection to Lance Reddick.
“Lance Reddick and I always spoke about working together again, so it’s that much more special and important to me to play his daughter once more as Thalia, and to keep his memory alive,” Smart said. “I feel his presence all around me and strive to make him proud on this exciting journey.”
Smart made her debut as Thalia Grace in a flashback scene in the fourth episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2. In the series lore, Thalia is the demigod daughter of Zeus who sacrificed herself to protect her friends. To save her life, her father transformed her into a magical pine tree that protects the borders of Camp Half-Blood.
Thalia Grace’s Expanding Role in the Series
While Thalia appears briefly in Season 2, her role is set to grow significantly. The plot of the season involves retrieving the Golden Fleece to heal the camp’s protective tree. Its magic works too well, leading to Thalia’s resurrection from the tree.
This sets the stage for a much larger role in Season 3, which is already in production and will adapt the third book, The Titan’s Curse. In that story, Thalia is a central character, joining Percy Jackson and his friends on their new quest.
Honoring Lance Reddick’s Legacy
Lance Reddick passed away in March 2023 at the age of 60, shortly after completing his work as Zeus in Season 1 of Percy Jackson. His performance brought a signature gravitas to the king of the gods. The actor was enthusiastic about the role, having once compared the passion of the Percy Jackson fandom to that of Harry Potter and expressing genuine excitement about playing Zeus.
The production has continued to honor his memory. At the 2025 D23 Expo, executive producer Dan Shotz spoke fondly of Reddick, stating, “He was such an exceptional colleague, friend. We miss him terribly. Every time I see him on screen I feel so proud that he was a part of this.”
For Season 2, the role of Zeus has been recast with esteemed actor Courtney B. Vance. In a statement, Vance acknowledged the significance of stepping into the role, saying, “I’ll be giving my brother, Lance Reddick, who left us way too soon, a heavenly hug.”
The latest episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, “We Check In to C.C.’s Spa & Resort,” is scheduled for release on Disney+ on December 31.
