Where You've Seen The 'Percy Jackson' Cast Before

The return of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has done something pretty magical: an entire generation of readers have been reunited with the characters and world they grew up imagining (and wishing they were a part of), and at the same time, it has introduced a fresh batch of fans to the demigod chaos we all experienced (not just through the books, but also through the two Percy Jackson movies that were released in 2010 and 2013 respectively.) 

With Season 1 garnering a lot of attention, and still fresh on everyone’s mind, and Sea of Monsters releasing on Disney+ on December 10, 2025, the hype isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, making this the perfect time to ask the question we pretend we don’t Google at 1 a.m.: “Where have I seen that actor before?” With a mix of new faces and old, each cast member brings their own flavor to their characters and lights up the screen. Let’s break it down, demi-god style, and also where you can stream their work on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more!

Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson) - The Adam Project (2022)

Walker Scobell crashed into everyone’s radar with The Adam Project, making it the kind of breakout debut every young actor dreams of (I mean, who doesn’t want Ryan Reynolds as a co-star, while playing his younger self?) The movie is tailor-made for anyone who loves snappy dialogue and banter, along with sci-fi and emotional moments. Scobell’s performance is so much fun to watch, as he blends in seamlessly with the clever action and truly holds his own amongst a stacked cast (Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldaña, phew!) He doesn’t try to imitate Reynolds, he channels it with a confidence that screams “I was born with this comic timing!” 

Though the movie does have its hilarious moments, at times it feels like it overdoes it a tad bit, but Scobell smooths that out, and doesn’t wobble when handed sarcasm. Where Leah Jeffries’ had a raw, grounded intensity in Beast, Scobell brings youthful charm; this contrast is part of what makes the Percy Jackson cast so exciting. If you enjoy time-travel themes mixed with family in your movies, then you’ll love The Tomorrow War, which taps into the same vibe that The Adam Project brought. 

Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase) - Beast (2022)

Before she was Annabeth Chase, Leah Sava Jeffries was stealing scenes alongside Idris Elba in Beast. She came into the movie like she had something to prove, and honestly accomplished that in the first 10 minutes. A survival thriller that's not only about a rogue, man-eating lion, but also about family scars, Beast is perfect for fans of films with tension-heavy plots, grounded in real human stakes. 

Jeffries nails her performance as Elba’s younger daughter, channeling fear and bravery to become an emotional anchor while the whole thing is falling apart. I did feel as though the story doesn’t really let her drive a lot of the scenes, but even then, she gives a sincere and soulful performance that elevates the film and makes it so watchable (Jeffries is going to own dramatic roles for years, she’s that good!) If you’re a fan of thrillers where the family dynamics hit just as hard as the monsters, like A Quiet Place, then you’ll enjoy Beast.  

Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood) - Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)

Aryan Simhadri’s most recognizable pre-Grover role is in the 2022 Cheaper by the Dozen remake, which leans into the dynamics and chaos of a blended family. This movie is for younger viewers, family audiences, and really for anyone who appreciates a good ensemble comedy, the kind you put on when you want something warm and doesn’t make your heart race in anxiety (sometimes, movies with goofy hijinks and low stakes are exactly what the doctor ordered!) 

Simhadri isn’t the main lead of the film, but he makes his scenes count, giving a performance that is genuinely charming, without trying too hard (in fact, you can see the flashes of humor he’d later bring to Grover through his upbeat presence.) Sure, the movie itself feels like it’s sometimes juggling too many “modern family” tropes at once (as if the filmmakers wanted to check every single box in a bingo card), but Simhadri makes it work, even when he’s not trying to be funny. If you enjoy wholesome family comedies similar to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, then Cheaper by the Dozen will scratch the same, crazy chaos itch. 

Daniel Diemer (Tyson) - The Half of It (2020)

If you’re a fan of character driven, coming-of-age stories with quiet romance, then look no further than The Half of It. Daniel Diemer plays Paul Munsky with a certain earnest awkwardness and emotional depth that makes him feel like a real teenager navigating real feelings, which is refreshing from the otherwise “clueless jock” stereotype that is usually portrayed in movies, like in She’s the Man.

Tonally, the film is soft and restrained, which is completely different from Beast. At times, the movie does make Paul seem a bit too naive and obtuse, but Diemer handles his character in a way that keeps him grounded even when he’s oblivious. Other than his character arc, Diemer’s gentle chemistry with his co-star Leah Lewis is also the highlight of the film. If you liked Love, Simon for its tender and understated story, then The Half of It can be deemed a natural companion piece.  

Tamara Smart (Thalia) - Resident Evil (2022)

Tamara Smart brings suspicion, defiance, and fear to Jade Wesker in Netflix’s Resident Evil, her biggest role pre-Thalia. The show is built for people who enjoy monster mayhem and apocalyptic horror, with a side of teen drama (because that is absolutely essential). Even when the show flitters between tones (and trust me, it does), Smart remains locked in, making her performance immediately watchable. 

Where Leah Jeffries’s emotional power is the highlight in Beast, Smart brings a more internalized tension, where you can see a lot of conflict happening behind her eyes before it ever hits her voice. If high-stakes, brooding sci-fi movies are your vibe, then The Maze Runner delivers the same kind of flavor. Smart is genuinely one of the few things in Resident Evil that worked, without a doubt, and if you enjoyed her performance in this show, you’ll also like watching her in A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting, where Smart played a major role as Kelly Ferguson, a teenager who joins a babysitters society to protect kids from monsters.

Glynn Turman (Chiron) - The Wire (2002)

Glynn Turman’s work in The Wire is the kind of performance that sneaks up on you and refuses to leave your brain. He plays Mayor Clarence Royce, a calculating, yet charming politician. Though The Wire is one of TV’s most revered dramas, it does require patient viewing, and is for viewers who appreciate complex storytelling along with messy characters, and Turman blends into that world as though he’s been living in it for decades. 

Turman’s presence is what makes the show watchable, but if there’s one thing I have a bone to pick with, it’s that we don’t see him as often as we’d like. He steals every scene, and then disappears for episodes at a time. Where Courtney B. Vance brings electrifying courtroom intensity in American Crime Story, Turman’s performance is more deliberate and controlled. If you’re a fan of shows with political intrigue, then House of Cards is the natural next step (well, its earlier seasons, at least.)

Jason Mantzoukas (Dionysus/ Mr. D) - Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)

Ah, where to begin with Jason Mantzoukas? If you’ve watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, then run over to watch it first! It feels like Mantzoukas is everywhere, from The Good Place, to most recently, A Man on the Inside, but he’s most recognized for his role as Adrian Pimento. Mantzoukas plays the paranoid, unhinged, yet brilliant detective, a character he plays so convincingly that it makes you question whether this role was written for the script, or if for Mantzoukas himself. 

Though Pimento isn’t a main character in the show, he really leans into absurdity (and emotions, when the script calls for it) with sincerity. You’ll laugh at him, and with him, and wish he was a permanent fixture. Where Glynn Turman dominates the screen with calm authority in The Wire, Mantzoukas teeters between genius and meltdown, and somehow makes both of those things work. If you’re a fan of workplace comedies with a big heart and even bigger chaos, like The Office, then Brooklyn Nine-Nine is right up your alley.                      

Courtney B. Vance (Zeus) - American Crime Story: The People v. O.J Simpson (2016)

Courtney B. Vance’s portrayal of defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J Simpson is the kind of performance that needs to be dissected in every acting school ever. Vance captures Cochran’s razor-sharp intellect and charisma with precision, and he gives a grounded delivery even when the show sometimes slips into melodrama. If you enjoy walking courtroom tension and real-world drama, then American Crime Story is the perfect watch. 

Compared to Glynn Turman’s measured performance in The Wire, Vance comes in hot, cementing him as a character who’s impossible to ignore. If morally complex shows are your jam, then Michael Clayton (the 2007 film) should be next on your list, as it has the same gripping tone as American Crime Story. Honestly, Vance’s acting hypnotizes and completely immerses you in that world; he isn’t just one of the best performances in the series (as evidenced by his Emmy award win), he’s also the reason the show worked as well as it did. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hermes) - Hamilton (2020)

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s role as Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton is one of those rare cultural moments where a performance becomes a phenomenon (I mean, turning the Founding Fathers into pop stars? Sign us up!) For anyone who loves historical storytelling (told in an audacious way) blended with R&B, hip-hop, and razor-sharp lyrics, Hamilton is the cure. After reshaping Broadway, Hamilton is now available on Disney+ to stream (so if you weren’t able to catch it live, now’s your chance to check it out!) 

The show itself is a high energy rollercoaster, but Miranda grounds the role and brings a flawed and raw Hamilton to the forefront. Compared to Jason Mantzoukas’ comedic explosion, Miranda is more tightly coiled, yet relentless. If you like musicals that reimagines history and does it in a stylish and bold way, then Moulin Rouge! (either the stage version or the movie) should be your next stop. 

Megan Mullally (Mrs. Dodds) - Will & Grace (1998)

Before unleashing her inner Fury in Percy Jackson, Megan Mullally was one of TV’s most iconic sitcom characters, the unstoppable force of nature known as Karen Walker on Will & Grace. Mullally is endlessly watchable largely because of her commitment to the role; she is Karen Walker, a messy, wildly inappropriate, martini-wielding human, who is still somehow deeply endearing. Will & Grace itself is still one of the most well-known shows, because of how fresh the storytelling feels, even decades later. 

If you’re a comedy lover who enjoys sharp wit, equal parts ridiculous and moving friendship dynamics, and sharp one-liners, then Will & Grace is a must watch. Jason Mantzoukas and Megan Mullally both embody their characters and exude pure electricity in their performances; Mantzoukas’ comedic style is more like a human grenade, whereas Mullally handles her comedic style in a more polished (yet snarky!) way. I genuinely think that Karen Walker could out-sass Dionysus (who’s pretty sassy himself), and he’d probably thank her for her kindness.