Ryan Hurst Cast as Kratos in Prime Video's 'God of War' Live-Action Series

Prime Video announced the casting of Ryan Hurst as Kratos in its live-action God of War series, marking a significant step in adapting the acclaimed PlayStation video game franchise for television. Hurst, who previously voiced Thor in the 2022 game God of War Ragnarök and earned a BAFTA nomination for the performance, brings franchise experience to the role previously voiced by Christopher Judge in the games.

The God of War series, which debuted in 2005 on PlayStation 2, centers on Spartan warrior Kratos battling gods from Greek mythology in its early entries before rebooting in 2018 to focus on Norse mythology. The Prime Video adaptation draws from the 2018 game and Ragnarök, following Kratos and his son Atreus as they journey to scatter the ashes of Faye, Kratos's wife and Atreus's mother. The official logline states: "God of War follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human. "

Amazon MGM Studios has greenlit two seasons straight to series, with pre-production currently ongoing in Vancouver, Canada, and filming slated to start in March 2026. Ronald D. Moore, known for credits including Outlander, Battlestar Galactica, and For All Mankind, serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Frederick E. O. Toye, a veteran of Shōgun and The Boys, will direct the first two episodes. The production involves co-producers Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, PlayStation Productions, and Tall Boy Productions.

Hurst is widely recognized for his role as Opie Winston in the FX series Sons of Anarchy and recently starred in Netflix's The Abandons. His casting has drawn praise from industry observers for fitting the physically imposing Kratos while leveraging his prior God of War connection. Additional casting, including for Atreus, remains underway.

This project follows Prime Video's successful video game adaptations like Fallout, which garnered critical acclaim and high viewership, and Like a Dragon: Yakuza. Filming is expected later in 2026, with a potential premiere no earlier than mid-2027 due to extensive post-production for effects-heavy sequences. The two-season commitment signals strong confidence in the series'potential.

While the God of War games feature intense themes of mythology, family, and redemption, no specific LGBTQ+ community responses or perspectives on this casting have been documented in initial coverage from major outlets as of January 14, 2026. The franchise's broad appeal spans gaming communities worldwide, and future developments may highlight diverse viewpoints as casting expands. Hurst's selection underscores continuity with the source material, appealing to longtime fans.