Walker Scobell Battles Laughter on Percy Jackson Set

Walker Scobell, who portrays the titular demigod in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson, has revealed the difficulties of filming alongside a cast of seasoned comedians. He shared at New York Comic Con that maintaining a serious expression is a constant challenge when acting with comedic talents like Kate McKinnon, Jason Mantzoukas, and Kristen Schaal.

Scobell described his role as Percy as requiring him to frequently appear confused and angry, which is particularly hard given the likable nature of his costars. He noted that McKinnon's portrayal of Aphrodite in the upcoming third season made it almost impossible to keep a straight face, leading him to devise strategies like looking away to avoid breaking character. The third season, set to premiere its first two episodes on November 20, will feature several new additions to the cast.

Joining the pantheon are new portrayals of Greek gods, including McKinnon as Aphrodite, Dafne Keen as Artemis, Ming-Na Wen as Hera, Jennifer Beals as Demeter, and Hubert Smielecki as Apollo. The series also expands its demigod roster with Levi Chrisopulos and Olive Abercrombie as Nico and Bianca di Angelo, respectively, and Saara Chaudry as Zoë Nightshade. A preview shown at NYCC hinted at Percy and Annabeth's vigilance amidst new challenges.