Ryan Hurst played Thor in Ragnarok, now he’s Kratos in the God of War show

The hunt for Kratos is over. Ryan Hurst, who voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarok, will lead the live-action series on Prime Video.

The long search for the leading man of Amazon's live-action God of War series adaptation is finally over. Ryan Hurst has been officially cast as Kratos, taking on the iconic role in the upcoming Prime Video God of War series. If that name sounds familiar to PlayStation fans, it should — Hurst previously played Thor in God of War Ragnarok.

This casting brings a massive shift for the actor, moving from the Aesir God of Thunder to the Greek God of War himself. The series is currently in pre-production and will be available to stream on Prime Video in the UAE when it launches.

Who is the new Kratos?

Ryan Hurst is no stranger to intense, physically demanding roles. While gamers know him best as the imposing Thor from the recent God of War sequel, TV audiences will recognise him as Opie Winston from Sons of Anarchy and Beta from The Walking Dead. His casting suggests the showrunners are looking for someone who can balance physical intimidation with the emotional weight required for the role.

It is a fascinating choice to cast the actor who played Kratos' rival in the games as the protagonist of the show. Hurst has proven he can handle the franchise's tone, and Amazon MGM Studios released a side-by-side comparison that shows he certainly looks the part.

God of War Prime Video Series Storyline: Adapting the 2018 Game

The series will skip the character's early days in Greece and jump straight to the Norse saga. It adapts the storyline of the critically acclaimed 2018 video game, following Kratos and his son, Atreus, on a journey to the highest peak in the realms to spread his late wife's ashes.

Official descriptions confirm the show will focus heavily on the father-son dynamic. Kratos must teach his son how to survive as a god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to retain his humanity. It is a more grounded, emotional story than the hack-and-slash chaos of the earlier games, though we still expect plenty of action.

Production details

The project has seen some changes behind the scenes recently. Ronald D. Moore, known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and Outlander, has taken over as showrunner. Frederick E.O. Toye is set to direct the first two episodes. The series is a co-production between Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television, with PlayStation Productions also involved.

While we wait for more casting news, you can check out our weekly watch guide to see what is currently streaming in the UAE.

God of War Prime Video Series Release Date and UAE Availability

The God of War series will stream exclusively on Prime Video. Since Prime Video is available in the UAE without the need for a VPN, subscribers here should get access to the show simultaneously with the global release.

There is no official release date yet. With pre-production currently underway in Vancouver, a release before late 2027 seems unlikely. This fits into a busy period for gaming adaptations, following news of Ubisoft's restructuring and other industry shifts.

FAQs

Who is playing Kratos in the God of War TV series?

Ryan Hurst has been cast as Kratos. He is best known for playing Opie in Sons of Anarchy and, ironically, Thor in the video game God of War Ragnarok.

Where can I watch the God of War series in the UAE?

The show will be available on Prime Video in the UAE. You will need an active Amazon Prime subscription to watch it when it releases.

Do I need to play the games before watching?

Likely not. As an adaptation of the 2018 game, the series is designed to be a starting point for new audiences. It explains Kratos' past naturally as the story unfolds, so you don't need to be a franchise expert to enjoy it.

Is the show based on the old games or the new ones?

The series adapts the Norse era of the franchise, specifically the 2018 reboot. This features an older Kratos living in the world of Norse mythology, rather than the Greek setting of the original PlayStation 2 and 3 games.