Ares Actor from Percy Jackson Discusses the Evolved Dynamics in Season 2: “The Kids Are Maturing”

Adam Copeland, known for his role as Ares in Disney+’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians, recently hinted at a more mature tone for the upcoming second season. The inaugural season offered a faithful portrayal of Rick Riordan’s cherished novels, introducing audiences to young heroes Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) as they embarked on an adventure to retrieve Zeus’ Master Bolt. Season 2 will adapt Riordan’s second installment, The Sea of Monsters, wherein Percy and his companions undertake a perilous quest to secure the Golden Fleece and avert disaster at Camp Half-Blood.

In an interview with Liam Crowley from Screen Rant, Copeland discussed the evolving tone of Percy Jackson as the characters confront increasingly daunting obstacles. Following a dramatic finale that left Ares, portrayed by Copeland, pledging vengeance against the half-bloods post-defeat by Percy, the narrative takes a darker turn with Luke Castellan (Charlie Bushnell) revealed as a traitor aligned with the malevolent titan Kronos.

I mean, it felt great because the first season we filmed everything, and it felt like this is a good show, but you still don’t fully, fully know until you see the finished product. So fast-forward to December of 2023, and you see it, and we’re at the premiere and everything and my girls are there, and we watched it and it kind of blew me away.

I felt so honored to be a part of the world and the Percy Jackson world and to be brought into it. Seeing that finished product, really it hit home with me. And then once you get out and about, and you start having families come up and grandparents come up and kids coming up and asking if I am Ares or if I’m Adam Copeland and not due to wrestling, that’s when I realized the show was onto something. Now, 16 Emmy nominations later, it’s pretty mind-blowing just to be a part of the whole thing.

Copeland conveyed his appreciation for the depth of the character Ares:

I realize that actors wait their entire careers to get on a show like this and some never do. I don’t look past it at all, and I realize what a gift I’ve been given with the writing and with the character of Ares, because it’s the kind of character that is just open for exploration. There’s really no handcuffs with this character. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there’s some, we’re Disney, but just in terms of facials and movements and big and just making everything feel really big, which is what wrestling was all about.

So yeah, it’s been a pretty crazy ride. It felt good to get out there and film some scenes for this season. Yeah, I mean it’s not a tough gig, man. I fly to Vancouver, one of my favorite cities. I spend time with great people. I have loads of friends out there, so it feels like a homecoming every time I go. I love working with the cast, with the crew. It’s just a phenomenal group of people who all have the same goal.

Looking ahead to the second season, Copeland shared his insights:

Well, I think just with the characters naturally growing older there becomes more serious issues, but they’re following the books, but there’s always going to be some things added in like the diner scene in the first season that wasn’t in the books, but I’m so happy it was included in the scripts because that’s what I auditioned with, and I went, ‘Oh, there’s so much fun to be had here.’ I think there’s always going to be fun in this show. I mean, how can it not be when you look at what is happening and going on and the fantastical nature of everything?

The kids are growing, and they’re not so much kids anymore. I think it naturally follows the progression of what happens to you as you’re going through your teens. I think that’s why the books always connected because I feel like people saw a bit of themselves in these characters and the awkward phases that you go through, but if you got friends it doesn’t feel quite as awkward. And I feel like at the heart of Percy Jackson, that’s really what they’re about.

What A More Mature Percy Jackson Season 2 Means

The God Of War Is Just Getting Started

With season 2 of Percy Jackson & the Olympians on the horizon, audiences can expect intensified mythological challenges and a deeper examination of power dynamics within the narrative. Ares’ declaration of vengeance foreshadows Copeland’s significant presence in the upcoming plot, presenting yet another hurdle for Percy and Annabeth in their quest for the Golden Fleece. Concurrently, Grover seeks Pan, and the ever-present threat of Luke’s alliance with Kronos adds another layer of tension.

As the stakes increase for Percy and his ever-growing circle of companions, the series transitions from a simplistic hero’s journey into a complex analysis of ambition and trust within a mythological framework. Ares’ dual role as both a physical and thematic antagonist highlights the trials Percy must face, not just through conflict, but in managing the intricate relationships in a volatile mythological setting. With the safety of Camp Half-Blood at risk, the unfolding drama promises to elevate the narrative as Ares’ vendetta complicates Percy’s journey, possibly intertwining with Kronos’ ruthless quest for supremacy.

Our Take On Percy Jackson Season 2

A Mythological Power Struggle Is Brewing

A leather-clad Ares holds a big sword across back with a darkly determined expression.

Copeland’s portrayal of Ares stands out in the ensemble of Percy Jackson & the Olympians, infusing the role with charisma and an electrifying presence synonymous with the god of war. His comments on the progressively mature narrative heighten expectations as fans eagerly await the return of these beloved characters. Alongside his acting engagements, Copeland maintains an active wrestling presence in AEW every Wednesday on AEW Dynamite on TBS and Saturdays on AEW Collision on TNT, with both events available for streaming on Max.

Copeland notes that the uniqueness of the series lies in its ability to blend fantastical elements with relatable themes. The shared experiences of Percy, Annabeth, and Grover evoke the universal trials of adolescence. If Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 2 can deliver on its promise of elevated stakes and genuine character growth, it is positioned to become one of the standout adaptations of Riordan’s acclaimed literary series.

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