EXCLUSIVE: Mandy Patinkin (Homeland, The Princess Bride) has been cast as Odin in Prime Video‘s God of War, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios’ TV adaptation of PlayStation’s ancient mythology-themed video game.
Odin, the All-Father, is not physically imposing or particularly god-like, but looks can be deceiving. He is the most powerful Aesir god, a patriarch who leads with an iron fist and an unrivaled seeker of knowledge. When it comes to seeking out prophecy, Odin is paranoid, manipulative and dangerous— he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days. He serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos (Ryan Hurst).
From writer, showrunner and executive producer Ronald D. Moore (Outlander, For All Mankind), God of War follows father and son, Kratos and 10-year-old Atreus, as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
The cast also includes Teresa Palmer as Phoebe/Sif, Thor’s wife and the goddess of family; Max Parker as Heimdall, the Watchman of Asgard, and one of Odin’s sons; as well as Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who will portray the larger-than-life Thor.
Given a two-season order last month, God of War is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions. In addition to Moore, executive producers include Maril Davis, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee and Brad Van Arragon. Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia and Ben McGinnis co-executive produce. Frederick E.O. Toye (Shōgun, The Boys) has signed on to direct the first two episodes.
Patinkin has just completed the film November 1963, directed by Roland Joffé. On the small screen, he is best known for his work in Showtime hit drama Homeland, playing CIA officer Saul Berenson, and his Emmy-winning portrayal of Dr. Jeffrey Geiger on the CBS medical drama Chicago Hope. He can be seen in NBC’s Brilliant Minds, and next on The Network’s The Artist.
His notable film credits include The Princess Bride, Yentl, Wonder, Life Itself, Wish I Was Here, Daniel, Ragtime and Dick Tracy, to name a few. Patinkin also won a Tony Award for playing Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. He is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment and CAA.
