Ryan Hurst Steps Away From Kratos Role in Television Series Following On-Set Injury

Bad news for God of War fans. Ryan Hurst is stepping away from Prime Video’s upcoming series after an injury disrupted filming, leaving the production searching for a new Kratos. The unexpected change creates a major challenge for the video game adaptation, particularly because some completed scenes will reportedly need to be filmed again.

Injury forces recast

Hurst suffered an injury while performing a stunt during filming in Vancouver, British Columbia, in June. The incident forced production to pause, with Amazon MGM Studios confirming the news to USA Today. The 50-year-old actor had been set to lead the series as Kratos, with a first look at him in character released in February. His departure is reportedly due to the injury rather than creative differences, and no replacement has been announced.

Finding a new Kratos is now the priority. Variety reported that scenes filmed with Hurst will need to be reshot, with production expected to resume by mid-fall once another actor is cast. Hurst was already familiar with the gaming franchise after voicing Thor in 2022’s God of War Ragnarök, one of that year’s biggest latest game releases. Beyond game development and voice acting, his credits include Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

Kratos story continues

Whoever replaces Hurst as Kratos will star with Callum Vinson, who plays his 10-year-old son, Atreus. Their relationship sits at the heart of the story adapted from the two modern God of War games. Kratos and Atreus travel through the Norse realms to spread the ashes of Faye, their wife and mother. Throughout their journey, the father tries to teach his son how to become a better god, while Atreus gradually helps Kratos reconnect with his humanity.

Their adventure also brings them into conflict with gods and other creatures from Norse mythology. The wider cast includes Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor and Mandy Patinkin as Odin. Alastair Duncan plays Mimir, while Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka portray the brothers Brok and Sindri. Ed Skrein has been cast as Baldur and Teresa Palmer as Sif.

Turning narrative-heavy games into television has become one of the biggest entertainment and gaming trends in recent years. With adaptations continuing to appear alongside the latest game releases, God of War represents another major attempt to bring an established PlayStation story to a broader entertainment audience.

Two seasons planned

Despite the production setback, Amazon has already given God of War a two-season order. Ronald D. Moore, whose credits include Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, For All Mankind and Outlander, serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer after joining the project in 2024.

Frederick E.O. Toye, known for Shōgun and The Boys, will direct the first two episodes. Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios are producing the series, with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions also involved in the project. Production can move forward once a new Kratos is chosen, but replacing the main character after filming has begun leaves the team with additional work before the planned fall restart.