The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians introduces a new character critical to Percy’s journey, his half-brother Tyson. Played by Daniel Diemer, fans have plenty to look forward to as the Disney+ adaptation of Rick Riordan’s beloved books continues.
In an interview with POC Culture, Diemer reflected on joining the popular series, working alongside Walker Scobell and the younger cast, and bringing a character he grew up reading about to life. A longtime fan of the books himself, Diemer shared his approach to honoring Tyson’s original characterization, while exploring the depth that makes him such an important part of Percy’s story and character development.
Daniel Diemer on Working with Walker Scobell and the Percy Jackson Cast
Joining an established ensemble can be challenging, particularly when many of its stars are considerably younger. However, Diemer explained that he approached his new co-stars with the same respect he would extend to any fellow actor.
“I always approach colleagues, no matter what their age, with the same level of respect,” Diemer shared.
He spoke highly of Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, and the rest of the ensemble, praising their dedication to their craft and the professionalism they brought to the production.
“It was an absolute honor to be able to work with them,” Diemer said.
Despite their differences in age and energy, Diemer explained that those distinctions became largely irrelevant once they began working together.
Why Tyson Is So Important to Percy Jackson’s Story
Beyond the experience of joining the cast, Diemer discussed the emotional importance of Tyson and his relationship with Percy.
“I think Tyson represents a lot of things that [Percy] felt in the past,” Diemer explained. “I think the insecurity of being an outsider, the kind of difficulty of not knowing your family and not knowing your dad, and I think it’s like a mirror to a lot of things he’s struggled with and doesn’t want to kind of think about.”
Diemer also discussed his commitment to honoring the source material. Having grown up reading the books, he wanted longtime fans to recognize the Tyson they knew, while allowing television audiences to experience new dimensions of the character.
“Preparation is everything and I just wanted to make sure I did it justice,” he said.
Watch our full interview with Daniel Diemer below.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 is streaming now on Disney+.
About Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2:
Season two of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is based on the second installment of
Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series titled “The Sea of Monsters” by award-winning author Rick Riordan. In the new season, Percy Jackson returns to Camp Half-Blood one year later to find his world turned upside down. His friendship with Annabeth is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover has gone missing, and Camp Half-Blood is under siege from the forces of Kronos. Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. Â He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
