Ryan Hurst is officially stepping into the role of Kratos for Prime Video’s upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War, from Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and PlayStation Productions.
Hurst isn’t new to the franchise, as he voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarök, a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination.
Now he’ll portray the iconic Ghost of Sparta himself in a series that adapts the most recent chapters of the PlayStation saga, focusing on Kratos and his son, Atreus.
A Familiar Face Takes On a Legendary Role
Kratos is one of the most recognizable characters in gaming. A Spartan warrior turned god, his story is steeped in tragedy, vengeance, and transformation.
The live-action series will adapt the Norse mythology arc of the franchise, with Kratos now a father trying to navigate a new path.
God of War follows Kratos and his 10-year-old son Atreus on a journey to spread the ashes of wife and mother, Faye. Along the way, the two confront monsters, gods, and their own inner demons.
The emotional heart of the show is the father-son dynamic, with Kratos trying to raise a better god than he was, and Atreus trying to teach his father how to be human.
Here is the official character description:
“The titular character of the entire franchise, Kratos is Spartan by birth, and a god by nature. Raised in a martial culture, he rose to command armies in service of his homeland until one day he made a fateful deal with Ares, the Greek God of War and lost his soul in exchange for being victorious in battle. Over the course of ten wildly successful games, Kratos vanquished mortals, creatures and gods alike. In the process, he became an iconic character in pop culture, known for his stoic nature, unchallenged combat skills, and tragic past. In God of War, the live action series, his story will closely follow the path of the last two games as he deals with something new: his ten year old son Atreus. This father and son dynamic began a whole new chapter in the legendary series and will be the heartbeat of the new show.”
Series Details and Creative Team
Prime Video has greenlit two seasons of God of War, with pre-production already underway in Vancouver. Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye (Shōgun, The Boys, Fallout) is set to direct the first two episodes.
The series is being co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions. Outlander and Battlestar Galactica veteran Ronald D. Moore is serving as showrunner, executive producer, and writer.
The expansive executive producing team also includes Maril Davis, Cory Barlog (Creative Director of the God of War games), Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee, and Brad Van Arragon. Additional co-executive producers include Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia, and Ben McGinnis.
The Legacy of God of War
First released in 2005, God of War has become one of PlayStation’s most iconic franchises, with over ten games chronicling Kratos’ journey from a vengeful Spartan warrior to a complex, grieving father. The two most recent entries—God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök (2022)—redefined the character and the series, earning critical acclaim and massive commercial success.
