Behind
When Blood of Zeus premiered on Netflix, audiences were treated to more than just another retelling of ancient mythology.
What they got was something new: a bold, cinematic reimagining of Greek legends that felt both fresh and deeply familiar. Behind this ambitious animated epic are Charles and Vlas Parlapanides, the brother screenwriting duo turned showrunners, who poured their heritage, experience, and vision into every frame.
The Parlapanides brothers are no strangers to Greek mythology. Their 2011 film Immortals, starring Henry Cavill in his first leading role, dipped into ancient lore. But Blood of Zeus was their chance to fully immerse themselves in the world they had loved since childhood.
“Greek mythology was always a part of our lives,” says Vlas. “It’s our heritage, and the Olympians were basically the first superheroes.”
Charles adds, “We always say Marvel and DC just put costumes on the Olympians. They have origin stories, arch enemies, rivalries—it’s the same storytelling DNA.”
But in an industry increasingly reliant on branded intellectual property, creating something unique wasn’t easy.
“Studios want big IP, and we don’t have a back catalog,” says Vlas. “Greek mythology, being in the public domain, was something we always returned to. It’s a playground full of opportunity.”
The creative breakthrough came when they treated the show as a lost tale from Greek oral tradition. “There were stories passed down that were never transcribed,” Charles explains. “So we asked, What if this is one of those lost stories? That gave us artistic freedom within the mythological canon.”
Their pitch resonated with John Derderian, head of animation at Netflix. He greenlit the pilot and promised a full season if the script and series bible delivered—and they did.
Once Netflix was on board, the brothers chose Powerhouse Animation (of Castlevania fame) as their animation studio. “We loved their work, and Brad Graeber and Mike Hughes were incredible partners,” says Charles.
Director Shaunt Nigoghossian brought the project to life with cinematic flair. “Shaun treated each action and emotional beat with equal care,” Vlas notes. “He shared our vision for a truly epic animated series.”
While animation offered limitless creative potential, it also came with constraints. “We thought it would be like Pixar—shoot a sequence, test it, then revise,” Charles recalls. “But once something is animated, you can’t go back. Every frame counts.”
They had to cut nearly 30 pages of material after writing all eight scripts, trimming scenes and sequences due to limits on pages, shots, and action per episode.
Despite the restrictions, the brothers found freedom in storytelling. “Unless you’re writing Game of Thrones, you’ll never get to realize something this big in live action,” says Vlas. “Animation made it possible.”
Unlike features, where directors hold the reins, Blood of Zeus gave Charles and Vlas control as showrunners. “TV is a writer’s medium,” says Charles. “If you don’t like a movie, blame the director. If you don’t like a TV show, blame the writer.”
It was a refreshing shift from their feature film experience on Immortals, where studio demands diluted some of their creative intentions. “This show was our second bite at the apple,” says Vlas. “We got to tell the story we wanted to tell, from start to finish.”
When asked to choose a favorite character, both brothers hesitate. “It’s like picking a favorite child,” Charles laughs. Still, he admits a fondness for Zeus, while emphasizing that even antagonists like Hera and Seraphim were written with complexity and depth. “They’re not villains. They’re characters with desires and motivations,” says Vlas.
The final episode of Season 1 teases more to come. But for a second season to be greenlit, Netflix needs strong viewership within the first 30 days. “If you liked the show,” Vlas urges, “tell your friends. Encourage them to watch before December 1st.”
To those hoping to follow in their footsteps, the brothers offer practical wisdom: