The world of movies and television often visits the deep pool of Greek mythology to tell stories of heroism, betrayal, and divine intervention. Sometimes those stories come strikingly close to one another.

Such is the case with the Immortals and the Blood of Zeus, especially when they’re written by the same people. Both were penned by the same duo: brothers Charles and Vlas Parlapanides.

At the core of these tales lies the trope of the chosen hero.

In Immortals, released in 2011, we are introduced to Theseus, a man marked by hardship, raised by a single mother, and shunned by his community. His life takes a turn for the tragic when his mother is killed by King Hyperion, a ruthless ruler disillusioned with the gods who seeks to overthrow them by unleashing the imprisoned Titans. Driven by vengeance, Theseus is thrust into a war that could determine the fate of both gods and men.

Conversely, the more recent animation, Blood of Zeus, introduces us to Heron, raised by a single mother who is also ostracized by villagers; she’s also killed, which spurs Heron on his journey. Learning that he’s of divine origins, he’s thrust into a celestial conflict that could also determine the fate of both gods and men.

In both stories, Zeus takes on the guise of an old man to mentor these heroes, teaching them the art of combat and the virtues of bravery and honor.

Not only do the heroes share the same drive and destinies, but the villains also share similar motivations. Seraphim, Heron’s half-brother, is driven by deep-seated hatred of the gods. He sees the gods as hypocritical and uncaring, a perspective that gains some merit given the gods’ often ambiguous moral actions in the series.

Driven by his hatred for the gods and humanity, Seraphim aligns himself with darker forces, including the demons and even the Titans. His alliance with these entities is not born out of any real loyalty or belief in their cause but rather as a means to an end. His actions are often brutal and ruthless in his quest for power and revenge against the gods.

In Immortals, King Hyperion’s motivations are tragically personal. His backstory reveals a man who was once a father and husband, only to have his family cruelly taken from him. The gods, whom he believed were meant to protect humanity, stood by and did nothing to prevent his loss.

This inaction by the deities ignites a fiery hatred in him, transforming his grief into his relentless quest for vengeance—not just against the gods themselves but against the very order they uphold.

Hyperion’s methods are brutal. He shows no mercy to those who oppose him, viewing them as either tools to be used or obstacles to be destroyed.

While these Greek epics share striking similarities, they are not without their differences. Although both heroes are favored by Zeus, in the blood of Zeus, Heron is directly acknowledged as his son, and the story primarily revolves around his journey of self-discovery and growth as a demigod.

On the other hand, in Immortals, it is never established that Theseus was the son of the Olympian king, The focus of the story is on his human qualities and the physical and emotional trials he endures on his journey.

Fans of Greek mythology and epic tales can enjoy both seasons one and two of Blood of Zeus, currently streaming on Netflix.