Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television have officially cast their Ghost of Sparta. Ryan Hurst, known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead, will lead the upcoming live-action God of War series for Prime Video. This announcement marks a major milestone for the long-awaited project, which was first confirmed in 2022 and has since undergone a significant creative change behind the scenes.
Hurst is no stranger to the Nine Realms. In a decision that has generated immediate discussion in the industry, the production chose an actor already involved in the franchise; Hurst provided the voice and motion capture for Thor in 2022’s God of War Ragnarök. His portrayal of the brooding, physically imposing God of Thunder earned him a BAFTA nomination and showcased his ability to convey the calm intensity needed for the modern version of the character. By taking on the role of Kratos, Hurst follows in the footsteps of Christopher Judge, inheriting a character defined by its serious nature and internal struggles.
The series will adapt the 2018 Norse reboot instead of focusing on the character’s original Greek-era journey. According to the official logline, the story will follow Kratos and his young son, Atreus, as they travel through the harsh wilderness of Midgard to fulfill a final wish: to spread the ashes of Kratos’ late wife, Faye, from the highest peak in the realms. This focus on the father-son relationship suggests that the showrunners prioritize emotional depth and character-driven storytelling, which revived the PlayStation franchise six years ago.
This casting comes as the production stabilizes under new leadership. After the original writing team left in 2024, Ronald D. Moore—the experienced showrunner behind Battlestar Galactica and For All Mankind—stepped in to guide the series’ creative direction. With Emmy-winner Frederick E.O. Toye set to direct the first two episodes and a two-season order already confirmed, the project seems to be moving into active production in Vancouver. While fans may have debated various big names for the role, selecting Hurst shows a commitment to an actor who understands the rich emotional depth of Santa Monica Studio’s universe.
