Ryan Hurst Cast as Kratos in Prime Video’s Live-Action ‘God of War’ Adaptation

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Ryan Hurst, known for his role as Thor in God of War Ragnarök, will play Kratos in a new live-action God of War series on Prime Video, according to Deadline. At 6’6″ and with a powerfully built physique, Hurst is well-suited to play the Spartan warrior, and he’s already familiar with the game’s world thanks to his BAFTA-nominated performance in Ragnarök.

Fans believe that Hurst understands the God of War world so well, he can truly embody Kratos and deliver the powerful performance the character needs. Unlike some other actors considered for the role, such as Dave Bautista and Dwayne Johnson, Hurst isn’t just a famous face – he has the right build and a deep knowledge of the mythology to make Kratos feel authentic.

The development of God of War had a rocky start, but things are looking up now that the remaining parts are coming together.

Preproduction Woes

At the end of 2022, Prime Video approved a series based on God of War. Rafe Judkins, known for his work on The Wheel of Time, will lead the project as showrunner and executive producer. The writing and producing team also includes Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, who have received Oscar nominations for their work.

However, The Wheel of Time received mixed reactions. BBC TV critic Scott Bryan found it frustrating, noting that the show quickly introduces a complex world with unfamiliar terms, making it hard to follow.

That may have been worrisome to fans of God of War, with its expansive world inspired by Greek and Norse mythology. However, Judkins and his team left the project in 2024 when Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios decided to take it in a different creative direction. Ronald D. Moore (Outlander, Battlestar Galactica) was subsequently brought on as showrunner and executive producer. PlayStation Productions will be closely involved to ensure that the series remains close to the source material.

Okay, let’s talk casting. Christopher Judge as Kratos is huge news for fans of the God of War franchise. And it’s not just gaming cred – Judge is a familiar face from both film and TV, especially for his role as Thor in God of War Ragnarök. He brings a real weight and presence to the character, and I think it’s a fantastic choice.

The Skills Required

Michael Hurst first gained attention playing defensive end Gerry Bertier in the 2000 film Remember the Titans. However, he really became well-known for his role as Opie Winston in the FX series Sons of Anarchy. Both roles highlighted his physical presence and his ability to portray genuine emotion. Later, he demonstrated his skill in popular genre television with a twenty-episode run on The Walking Dead.

Given his proven experience and strong reputation with the God of War series, Hurst seems well-equipped to play the character of Kratos.

The show has already been renewed for two seasons and will be based on the latest two games in the series. It follows Kratos and his son Atreus as they travel to scatter the ashes of Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. The story explores how Kratos attempts to guide his son in becoming a worthy god, while Atreus tries to help his father reconnect with his humanity.

With the show still in early stages of production in Vancouver, more actors will be announced soon. Many fans are encouraged by the casting of Ryan Hurst as Kratos, believing it’s a positive step for the series.

What are your thoughts on Ryan Hurst being cast as Kratos? And do you think the TV show will stay faithful to the original game? Let us know in the comments!

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2026-01-16 16:08