Severance star Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will play Thor in the live-action God of War show for Prime Video.
Amazon and Sony announced the cast update today, revealing who will play the Norse God of Thunder in its upcoming series adaptation of the beloved PlayStation franchise. It’s one of the biggest updates to the show yet, with Ólafsson now set to wield Mjolnir against Ryan Hurst and his portrayal of Kratos.
Olafur Darri Olafsson. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Olafur Darri Olafsson. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.Ólafsson has been rumored to play Thor for quite some time, and it’s easy to see why. The actor has remained a recognizable face in shows such as Lady Dynamite and Trapped, as well as movies like The Meg and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, for years. It wasn’t until his appearance as the towering (and terrifying) Mr. Drummond in Severance Season 2, however, that fans started picturing him as a solid choice to play Thor in God of War.
Thor, who made his God of War debut as a last-minute tease in the 2018 installment before becoming a primary antagonist in 2022’s God of War Ragnarok, towers over even Kratos and is one of the most powerful beings the Ghost of Sparta has fought yet. Amazon’s official description for its version of the character calls him a “Mountain of a Man” whose “actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours.”
“Once the loyal soldier of Asgard and his father’s right hand man, Thor is now but a shadow of his former self as he drowns himself in alcohol and tries not to think of the price he paid,” the description continues. “Keeping his wife and children at arm’s length has only deepened his isolation, but the power (and danger) of the God of Thunder is still there just beneath the surface.”
In addition to Ólafsson as Thor and Hurst, who previously played Thor in Ragnarok, past casting confirmations revealed that the live-action God of War adaptation will feature Teresa Palmer as Thor’s wife, Sif, as well as Max Parker as the God of Foresight, Heimdall. Casting for characters like Mimir, Freya, and Atreus has yet to be announced.
For more, you can read up on why we think the Amazon version of this story needs to take a new approach to violence. You can also check out what game composer Bear McCreary thinks about the God of War show.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).