'Percy Jackson' Producer Reveals How the Late Lance Reddick Played a Part in Tamara Smart's Casting
Lance Reddick had a bit of a role in Tamara Smart getting cast in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two.
The late actor played Zeus in season one, and producer Dan Shotz recently revealed that his wife Stephanie Reddick suggested Tamara to play his character’s daughter.
Keep reading to find out more…
In an Instagram post on Friday (December 26), following Tamara‘s first episode as Thalia Grace, Dan shared how her casting came about.
“After a worldwide search to find Thalia for @percyseries, in mid-July ‘24, I got a call from Stephanie Reddick, the wife of the late, great @thereallancereddick, saying there is this young actress you should take a look at for Thalia,” he wrote. “She played Lance’s daughter on another series, she is very important to our family and there is something so magical about her. No pressure, just take a look at her tape.”
Tamara and Lance co-starred in the short-lived Resident Evil series on Netflix.
“All I could think about is how do I tell Stephanie Reddick that most likely this isnt going to be the person. Then her tape came in (woah), then I met her (oh my), then she read with @walker.scobell and his first words after the read were… ‘we are casting her, right?’” Dan continued. “Magical is so the right word. @tamaravaleriesmart is a force, a talent with a deep, profound soul and I know she is honoring Lance with every word that comes out of her mouth. Thank you to Stephanie and Lance Reddick for finding us our Thalia.”
When her casting was announced, Tamara said that it was special for her to have this role and “to keep his memory alive.”
“I’m so grateful and excited to be joining the cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It’s so close to my heart,” she said in a statement. “Lance Reddick and I always spoke about working together again, so it’s that much more special and important to me to play his daughter once more as Thalia, and to keep his memory alive. I feel his presence all around me and strive to make him proud on this exciting journey.”
Tamara‘s Thalia Grace was introduced in the latest episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and she’ll be appearing more throughout the season.
Thalia Grace is “the Demigod daughter of Zeus who made her last stand to protect her friends at the edge of Camp Half-Blood. Rather than let her die, Zeus transformed her into a tree that anchors the force field that protects camp. Tough and prickly, with a rebel/punk sensibility, Thalia is fiercely loyal to her friends and distrustful of her father’s world.”
If you missed it, check out our exclusive interviews with the young stars of Percy Jackson!