BLOOD OF ZEUS
Reinventing Greek Mythology
with Charles and Vlas Parlapanides
Greek Mythology Reborn on Netflix
Behind
The Story.
In a saturated era of superhero stories and fantasy reboots, Netflix’s Blood of Zeus manages a rare feat—it feels both timeless and entirely new. Created by screenwriting duo Charles and Vlas Parlapanides, this animated series dives into the depths of Greek mythology with a bold, cinematic flair that has captivated audiences and critics alike.
Set in an ancient world where gods, giants, and demons clash, Blood of Zeus tells the story of Heron, a young man who discovers he’s the illegitimate son of Zeus. As war brews between Olympus and the underworld, Heron is thrust into a conflict that challenges his identity, his morals, and the fate of the world itself.
What makes Blood of Zeus stand out isn’t just its explosive battles or lush animation—though those are top-tier, thanks to Powerhouse Animation (Castlevania). It’s the emotional depth and creative license the Parlapanides brothers bring to the story. By framing the narrative as a “lost tale” from Greek oral tradition, the series balances canonical myth with original storytelling. Zeus, Hera, Hermes, and other legendary figures are all present, but seen through a darker, more complex lens.
The show is packed with operatic stakes, unforgettable characters, and moral ambiguity. Villains aren’t just villains—antagonists like Seraphim and Hera are written with psychological realism and depth, reflecting the showrunners’ goal of telling emotionally resonant stories within the epic canvas of myth.
Initially conceived as a live-action anthology in the style of American Horror Story, Blood of Zeus evolved into an animated series that makes full use of the medium’s possibilities—without sacrificing story. It’s also a rare win for animation aimed at adults that doesn’t rely on satire or comedy. Instead, Blood of Zeus delivers earnest, high-stakes mythological drama on par with Game of Thrones—just drawn by hand.
Critically acclaimed and fan-celebrated, Blood of Zeus marks a high point for Netflix Animation and a hopeful sign for future seasons. With a cliffhanger ending and vast mythological material still untapped, the gods may not be finished with Heron just yet.
Behind the mythic scale of Blood of Zeus is a very personal story. Charles and Vlas Parlapanides, Greek-American brothers and lifelong storytellers, grew up listening to tales of gods and heroes from their mother and grandmother. These bedtime stories didn’t just entertain—they sparked a fascination with mythology that would later shape their careers. Though they’ve worked in Hollywood for years, including on the feature film Immortals (2011), Blood of Zeus is their most authentic expression yet, rooted in both heritage and heart.
Their breakthrough came from a clever creative angle: framing the story as a “lost” myth from the oral tradition. That concept—true to how many ancient myths were actually passed down—gave them freedom to invent within the canon. “It gave us artistic license,” Charles explained in interviews. “If this story was never written down, maybe it got lost. What if Blood of Zeus is that story?” This approach allowed them to explore complex themes—identity, power, exile—through both new characters and iconic gods, while retaining the structure and resonance of classic mythology.
As first-time showrunners, the Parlapanides brothers brought a feature film sensibility to animation. They collaborated closely with director Shaunt Nigoghossian and Powerhouse Animation to ensure every frame served the emotional core of the story, not just the spectacle. The result is a rare blend of blockbuster action and character-driven storytelling. For Charles and Vlas, Blood of Zeus is more than a series—it’s the realization of a lifelong passion project, and a testament to the power of myth to speak to new generations.
Blood of Zeus is not just a retelling—it’s a reimagining.
It honors the myths while giving them new breath, rooted in personal experience, timeless structure, and cinematic storytelling.