casts

“God of War” has a new Kratos.

Dave Bautista will take over as the lead in the Amazon Prime live-action TV series based on the widely revered video game franchise of the same name.

“Sons of Anarchy” alum Ryan Hurst had initially landed the role of one of the most famous dads in video game history, but in June he suffered an injury on-set while performing a stunt.

Hurst was announced as Kratos in January, and in a social media post he said that he used to play as Kratos. “Now I get to be him,” he wrote. “Grateful to pick up the axe, and honored by the fans who made this story legendary.”

Hurst needed surgery after severely tearing his bicep, and the recovery time would push production into 2027, which reportedly conflicted with filming schedules. Earlier this year, Hurst completed filming on four episodes of the first season of the highly anticipated show, but those will be scrapped and reshot with Bautista stepping in, and production resuming in the fall.

“God of War,” based on PlayStation’s ancient-mythology themed video game, follows Kratos — a Spartan by birth who later becomes the Greek god of war — and his son, Atreus, as they set off on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Along the way, Kratos tries to help mold his son into a better god, and Atreus teaches his dad how to be a better man.

Bautista, a WWE wrestling champ turned movie star of Greek and Filipino descent, will join a cast that includes Callum Vinson as Atreus, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, Danny Woodburn as Brok, Sonya Walger as Freya, Island Austin as Thrud, Ben Chapple as Magni, Louis Cunningham as Modi, and Evelyn Miller as Gna.

Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye, known for “Shōgun,” “The Boys” and “Fallout,” is helming the first two episodes of the forthcoming series.

A huge TV star has joined the cast of a new 5 drama adaptation of a book by Graham Norton

Inspector Morse star Kevin Whately has bagged a role in a “compelling” new drama.

The actor is best known to viewers for appearing in the hugely successful crime dramas Inspector Morse and Lewis.

In his new Channel 5 programme Forever Home, he will be playing a character called Silent Dave. The six-part series – a screen adaptation of Graham Norton’s novel – tells the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her.

“When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realisation is undeniable – she’s living with a killer,” the broadcaster teased when the show was announced.

“The story that her husband’s first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie, and the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…”

Other cast members include Amy Nuttal, Douglas Henshall, Lewis Cope, Jenny Walser, Shane Zaza and Denise Welch, who will star as Carol’s mother Moira Crottie.

The series, which has been filming in Northumberland, is co-produced by FilmNation Entertainment and The Mediapro Studio, supported by the North East Production Fund and North East Screen.

Describing his book, Graham said that it was “a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes”. He went on: “In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the ‘what if’ scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships.”

When it was announced, Paul Testar, commissioning editor at 5, said: “We’re delighted to partner with FilmNation and The Mediapro Studio to bring Graham Norton’s compelling novel to UK screens, supported by an outstanding cast.”

Kevin’s first major role was as Neville Hope in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, a role he held from 1983 to 2004.

“Then in 1987 he was cast as Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis in Inspector Morse. He was in the hit series until 2000, then from 2006 to 2015 starred in spin-off, Lewis.

The actor has appeared in several other big TV series during his career, including Peak Practice, Vera and Midsomer Murders.

Forever Home is coming soon to watch and stream on 5.