Disney
Although the correct title is “demigod,” Percy Jackson makes for a perfect Disney prince. Author Rick Riordan’s series, a modern-day, YA twist on Greek mythology, as written for kids, has maintained Disney-like heights of popularity with young readers for nearly 20 years. Although its fanbase has aged up since the first novel’s 2005 release, The Olympians books still exposes kids to fantasy at a young age.
It’s fitting, then, that the new Disney+ series—entitled Percy Jackson and the Olympians (premiering Dec. 20 with its first two episodes, before debuting new chapters weekly)—is perfectly suited to welcome youngsters into the realm of fantasy television. Enjoyable for not only established fans and young newcomers, but also folks of all ages, the series is a wonderful feat of adaptation and genre storytelling.
We first meet Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) years before the series’ present-day storyline begins, back in second grade. Even as a young boy, Percy, we learn, has been burdened by the recurring thought that he’s not an average kid: Words don’t make sense on paper; he’s frequently distracted by larger-than-life daydreams; and he’s bullied at school. His mother, Sally (Virginia Kull), has spent most of her adult life trying to make Percy’s life a little easier by telling him it’s okay to be a little different. His friend Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) helps to make him feel less alone too.