Ryan Hurst as Kratos: First-Look Photos Ignite Hype for Amazon’s ‘God of War’ Series

Fans of actor Ryan Hurst have reason to celebrate: Amazon has unveiled the first official image of the Sons of Anarchy alum fully transformed into Kratos for Prime Video’s upcoming live-action “God of War” series, now shooting in Vancouver. Hurst—whose thunderous turn as Thor in “God of War Ragnarök” earned him a BAFTA nomination—trades the Norse hammer for the Blades of Chaos as he headlines the two-season Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television co-production. The newly released still shows a battle-scarred, ash-white Kratos standing protectively beside his 10-year-old son Atreus, played by newcomer Callum Vinson, confirming that the plot will adapt the critically acclaimed 2018 and 2022 PlayStation games. Series architect Ronald D. Moore (Outlander, For All Mankind) serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Frederick E. O. Toye (Shōgun, The Boys) directing the first two episodes. The ensemble cast is stacked with genre favorites: Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, plus Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka as the dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri. According to the official logline, the story follows Kratos and Atreus on a perilous trek across the Nine Realms to fulfill the final wish of wife and mother Faye—scattering her ashes from the highest peak. Along the way, the demigod father must temper his legendary rage while teaching Atreus to “be a better god,” even as the boy urges his father to “be a better human,” setting up an emotional core that mirrors the games’ award-winning narrative. Why Ryan Hurst is the perfect Kratos • Physicality: Standing 6'4", the actor spent months in hypertrophy training to match Kratos’ imposing silhouette. • Voice work pedigree: Hurst’s gravelly baritone already resonated with gamers as Thor, giving him instant credibility within PlayStation’s lore. • Dramatic range: From Opie in “Sons of Anarchy” to Beta in “The Walking Dead,” Hurst excels at conflicted warriors—an essential trait for portraying a god haunted by his past. Release window and streaming details Prime Video has not announced a premiere date, but insiders expect Season 1 to arrive in late 2026, positioning “God of War” as a potential holiday tent-pole alongside Amazon’s other franchise plays like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” Episodes will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 territories at launch, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support anticipated. SEO takeaway With search interest for “Ryan Hurst Kratos,” “God of War TV show,” and “Prime Video God of War release date” spiking, bookmark this page for continual updates on trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and official release news as Amazon’s epic takes shape.