Amazon Prime Video has officially cast Ryan Hurst as Kratos in the upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War, an adaptation of the popular video game.
Hurst is known for his roles as Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy and Beta in The Walking Dead. He is known for bringing out both physical presence and genre experience to the role. Notably, he also voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarök (2022), earning industry praise and a BAFTA Games Award nomination. His prior role has been a meaningful link between the TV adaptation and the original games.
Series Premise and Creative Team
The action series will adapt the framework of the 2018 God of War reboot and its sequel, which focus on the evolving relationship between Kratos and his young son, Atreus. According to official reports, the story revolves around their journey to spread the ashes of Kratos’ late wife, Faye, through the mythic Nine River, a tale of fatherhood, loss, and the search for meaning beyond violence.
The first episodes will be directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, known for his work on Shōgun and The Boys. Prime Video has already committed to a two-season order of the series, with pre-production and casting underway in Vancouver, Canada.
Why Hurst as Kratos?
Hurst already worked in the franchise giving him an insider perspective on tone and lore, making it easier to transition from gaming character to live-action character. Kratos is well known for his intense physicality and emotional complexity, traits that Hurst has portrayed in his career in both television and action roles.
Fans have taken his involvement positively, although a few wanted some other actor like Christopher Judge, the show’s long term voice actor.
Production Timeline and Expectations
Although no official release date has been announced, multiple industry insiders expect the production later in 2026, with a potential release in 2027. Filming locations are expected to include different landscapes that match the series’ Norse mythological settings.
If the production succeeds, it could join the ranks of titles like The Last of Us (HBO), Fallout (Amazon), and Horizon Zero Dawn (Netflix).
