Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 adds a pair of Star Wars actresses to its growing cast

The build up for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 is getting stronger, with three actors cast as Greek gods for the new year!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians has quickly become a hit for Disney+. Adapting the novels by Rick Riordan, the series follows the title character (Walker Scobell), who discovers he’s the son of the Greek god Poseidon. With help from friends Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries) and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri), Percy embarks on a series of wild adventures.

The show has always excelled at pulling in top-name talent. Now, Variety reports that season 3 is adding some big names in the form of Ming-Na Wen, Jennifer Beals, and Hubert Smielecki.

Wen will play Hera, described as “the queen of Olympus, and wife to Zeus. She is the goddess of marriage and family so the infidelity of Zeus (Courtney B. Vance) rankles her. Regal, maternal and no-nonsense, Hera is the only god besides Zeus who has children who are also members on the Olympian council, which gives her leverage in the family politics.”

A TV veteran, Wen is likely best known for her role as Matilda May in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as playing bounty hunter Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Adding another big franchise to her stacked plate is a nice feather in the cap for the actor's amazing career. 

Beals will portray Demeter, “the goddess of agriculture, the harvest, and the cycle of life and death. A respected sister of Zeus, Demeter remembers the war against the Titans very well, and will do what she must to prevent the return of her father Kronos (Nick Boraine).”

Breaking out with the classic 1983 film Flashdance, Beals has remained a top face in movies and in the last few decades, television. She appeared in The L Word and also guest starred in The Book of Boba Fett. With her lovely looks and demeanor, she’s a perfect fit for Demeter. 

Finally, Smielecki will guest star as Apollo, “the dazzling and charismatic god of the sun as well as music, poetry, archery and prophecy. The literal golden boy of Olympus and twin brother to the goddess Artemis, the moon to his sun.”

This is an intriguing casting, as Smielecki has only had one previous acting gig, appearing in flashbacks in the Netflix romantic drama Ransom Canyon. Having him play Apollo, a powerful god of the sun, is a big deal for the actor.

Season 3 will adapt the third book in the saga, The Titan’s Curse. That has Annabeth kidnapped by a twisted doctor (David Costabile) plotting to unleash a monster that can destroy both Olympus and Earth. Percy and Grover have to save her, facing numerous challenges along the way. The cast additions also include Kate McKinnon as Aphrodite and Dafne Keen as Artemis.

Production is underway, with expectations that season 3 will arrive either late in 2026 or early 2027. With these three actors added on, Percy Jackson is only going to become more epic in the next season.

The first two seasons of Percy Jackson and the Olympians are streaming on Disney+.