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Yes, Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Chris Rodriguez looks different this season and it makes sense why

The second season of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is based on Rick Riordan's book, 'Sea of Monsters'

With the airing of the latest 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' episode, titled 'We Board the Princess Andromeda', fans were confronted with a rather unconventional creative decision. While it is common practice to introduce new characters in the sophomore season of a show, and even the world of Greek mythology portrayed on the show features numerous shape-shifting demigods, the latest development might come across as somewhat of a surprise.

Nevertheless, the author of the novel series on which the show is based, Rick Riordan, and the executive producers of the show have explained it all. The Tab reports that the character of demi god Chris Rodriguez, who is the son of Hermes on the show, has been recast for the sophomore season. Chris was seen but briefly on the first season of the Disney+ show, loitering in Camp Half Blood, and was played by Andrew Alvarez.

Although no direct reference was made to the character, the end credits attributed the character name of 'Chris' to him. The second season, however, went its own separate way by recasting the character with actor Kevin Chacon. It is also interesting to note that Alvarez hasn't been let go and will be seen in the ongoing show's upcoming episodes. 

Riordan spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the implications. Explaining the creative choice, the best-selling author remarked, "But when we were looking at what we going to do in season 2, where the character comes a little more into the forefront, that's the casting that made sense at the time for that part. So much of it is who's the best for the part, who's available for the part, what makes sense with the timing? So this is really the first time that you see Chris Rodriguez as a full character, so it wasn't really so much of a recasting thing. It was just finding the way to make that part work with the right person who was available." 

The second season of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' holds heightened importance for the character of Chris, as is reflected in the book. The rise of Luke and the rebellion of the demigods against the gods will feature Chris playing a highly consequential character arc. This was confirmed by Executive Producer Craig Silverstein when he remarked, "Chris' role was expanding, but also there was nothing in season 1—I think it was maybe mentioned in a credit but nobody outright said 'that's Chris Rodriguez' in the show, and we're also able to take the character that Andrew played and carry that character forward as well. So I look at it as not a recasting, because the character that Andrew played that you met in season 1 continues, and Chris Rodriguez was always there as Kevin." 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 2 airs new episodes every Wednesday at 3 AM ET on Disney+ and Hulu.