A casting decision involving one of Greek mythology's most iconic goddesses has turned a beloved fantasy series into the latest Hollywood controversy.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is drawing criticism after Kate McKinnon was cast as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, for its upcoming third season.
A new trailer that dropped on November 2 gave viewers their first glimpse of McKinnon's portrayal, prompting a wave of reactions across social media.
Highlights
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians has unveiled its season 3 trailer, featuring Kate McKinnon as the Greek goddess Aphrodite.
- The preview has impressed fans with its bigger scale, monster effects, and apparent faithfulness to the books.
- But McKinnon's casting and Aphrodite's styling have sparked a wave of fan criticism.
While some viewers have questioned the decision, others have defended McKinnon, turning the announcement into a divisive online debate.
New Percy Jackson & the Olympians trailer has fans hyped for season 3
Based on Rick Riordan's best-selling book series of the same name, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has received largely positive reviews over its first two seasons.
Critics have generally viewed the show as an improvement over the earlier film adaptation. However, some viewers have criticized the series for allegedly cutting popular characters, monsters, and action sequences because of budget constraints.
The upcoming installment, which adapts Riordan's third novel, The Titan's Curse, seems to be addressing some of those concerns.
Its trailer has drawn praise for its visual spectacle, raising expectations for a more faithful adaptation.
One excited viewer exclaimed, "Bro, did you get a budget increase?? If not, they pulled off a miracle!”
Another fan joked, "Good news! It looks book-accurate; bad news...it looks book-accurate"
Others were particularly impressed by the monster designs and supernatural action sequences.
One viewer commented, "Look at those effects of the powers, look at how they didn’t cut any monster."
The trailer also offers a glimpse of several actors joining the cast as Greek deities, including Dafne Keen as Artemis, Ming-Na Wen as Hera, Jennifer Beals as Demeter, and Kate McKinnon as Aphrodite.
Kate McKinnon’s casting as Aphrodite sparks fierce debate among fans
The Saturday Night Live alum's portrayal has become a major talking point following the trailer's release.
On X, some viewers questioned whether McKinnon, who is openly lesbian, was the right choice to play Aphrodite.
Traditionally associated with beauty and love, Aphrodite's portrayal prompted criticism from viewers who accused Hollywood of embracing "wokeness." Some also objected to the character's androgynous styling, which they considered too masculine.
One critic wrote, "Casting a lesbian to be the goddess of beauty, love, sexuality and fertility…wow…percy wokeson."
"A goddess who is regarded as a s*x symbol they portray as an androgynous and grotesque figure," another commenter complained.
A third added, “Greek mythology in Hollywood is a total hell."
However, the casting has also received enthusiastic support from fans who believe the portrayal is a more mature and nuanced interpretation of Aphrodite.
Defending the portrayal, some fans noted that Aphrodite's appearance in The Titan's Curse changes based on the personal ideals of beauty held by those who encounter her.
“The fact that he appears in this form suggests that the person who sees her prefers a tomboy style," one person commented.
Another fan praised the character's resemblance to her lover, Ares, played by Adam Copeland, writing:
"I love that her default look resembles Ares because, of course, the most beautiful thing to Aphrodite would be whoever she's in love with."
One particularly enthusiastic supporter added, "I cannot overstate how perfect this is, and if anybody thinks Aphrodite is feminine in the modern sense, they're loud and wrong."
Percy Jackson star Walker Scobell teased a highly faithful adaptation
Despite concerns that the series is straying from the books, Walker Scobell, who plays Percy Jackson, has reassured fans that season 3 will be a faithful adaptation of The Titan's Curse.
Speaking to The Direct in January 2026, the young actor expressed confidence in the upcoming season, saying the novel's structure worked particularly well for the show's eight-episode format.
"I think season 3 is…the most book-accurate season we've had yet, just from watching it...The book is just perfect to break up into eight episodes. So it's just really worked out so far, and I've been really happy with it," Scobell shared.
The actor also teased that the new season would raise the bar for the series, describing it as a significant step up from the previous installment.
"I love season 2, but season 3 just—Like if season 2 brings season 1 to a different level, I mean, season 3 just brings season 2 to a completely different level," he added.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 premieres with its first two episodes dropping on November 20, 2026, on Disney+.
"Terrible choice": Netizens shared mixed reactions to Kate McKinnon’s casting as Aphrodite
