Ryan Hurst has officially been cast as Kratos, the titular god of war and lead character, in the upcoming "God of War" live-action series for Amazon Prime Video. This casting marks a notable return for Hurst to the PlayStation franchise, as he previously lent his voice to the Norse god Thor in the critically acclaimed video game "God of War: Ragnarök."

The series is set to adapt the story of the two most recent "God of War" games, moving past Kratos's Greek origins as a Spartan commander who made a fateful deal with Ares. Instead, it will delve into the Norse-based chapters, focusing on his journey as a father. The official character description for Kratos states he is "Spartan by birth, and a god by nature." The narrative will see Kratos and his ten-year-old son, Atreus, embark on a profound journey to fulfill the final wish of their deceased wife and mother, Faye, by spreading her ashes atop the highest peak in the Nine Realms. This deeply personal adventure will not only pit them against formidable godly Norse adversaries but also serve as a crucial bonding experience. Kratos endeavors to teach his son how to be a better god, while Atreus, in turn, attempts to teach his father how to be a better human.

Ryan Hurst brings a robust acting resume to the role of Kratos. He is widely recognized for his acclaimed performance as Opie Winston in the hit FX biker drama "Sons of Anarchy" and for his role as the villain Beta in AMC’s "The Walking Dead." His television credits also include appearances in shows such as "The Abandons," "Outsiders," and "Bates Motel." In film, Hurst is known for starring in features like "Remember the Titans," "Saving Private Ryan," and "We Were Soldiers." He is also slated to appear in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of "The Odyssey," which will give him additional experience with Greek mythology, albeit not as Kratos. Hurst earned a BAFTA nomination for his voice work as Thor in "God of War: Ragnarök."

The adaptation of "God of War" for Amazon has undergone a significant development process. The show was initially greenlit by Amazon's streaming arm in 2022. Original showrunner Rafe Judkins departed the project in October 2024, with Ronald D. Moore taking over as the new showrunner shortly thereafter. Moore, known for his Emmy-winning work on "Battlestar Galactica" and "Outlander," serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner under his Tall Ship Productions banner. Frederick E.O. Toye, who directed episodes of "Shōgun," is set to direct the first two episodes of the series.

The production team includes a lengthy list of executive producers: Maril Davis of Tall Ship Productions, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee, and Brad Van Arragon. Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia, and Ben McGinnis are credited as co-executive producers. The series is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions, which operates under an overall deal with Sony TV. With Kratos now cast, pre-production is underway in Vancouver. "God of War" represents Prime Video's latest major video game undertaking, following the success of "Fallout," and with ten successful game installments, it is one of PlayStation’s most recognizable properties, a significant responsibility for the streamer which has already given a two-season order.