Ólafur Darri Ólafsson Cast as Thor in Prime Video’s God of War Series

Prime Video’s live-action God of War series just locked in a huge piece of its Norse lineup: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson has been cast as Thor.

If you’ve played God of War Ragnarök, you already know why this is a big deal. Thor isn’t a cameo or a fun nod to mythology. He’s one of the central threats hanging over Kratos and Atreus, and he’s written as something far darker than the heroic hammer guy pop culture sometimes defaults to. He’s power, ego, and violence, wrapped up in a family dynamic that makes everything messier.

Ólafsson is a really interesting pick for that version of Thor. He can bring weight without needing to shout for it, and that matters for a character who’s scary even when he’s standing still. The show is clearly building toward a version of the Norse saga where the gods feel like forces of nature, not just boss fights.

This casting also adds to a roster that’s starting to take shape in a way that feels intentional. Ryan Hurst is playing Kratos, which is a fun bit of full circle casting considering he voiced Thor in Ragnarök. Teresa Palmer has been cast as Sif, and Max Parker has been cast as Heimdall. With Thor now in place, Prime Video has the bones of Asgard’s major players, not just Kratos’ immediate circle.

As for what story the series is telling, the clearest direction so far points toward the 2018 God of War arc: Kratos and Atreus on a journey shaped by grief, survival, and the constant tension between who Kratos was and who he’s trying to become as a father. The interesting wrinkle is that Thor and Heimdall are heavily associated with Ragnarök, so the show may be pulling pieces forward, reshuffling timing, or planning a faster runway into the sequel material than fans expected.

Either way, this is one of those castings that signals tone. If the goal is a God of War that leans into grounded emotion and brutal myth, Thor needs to feel intimidating, human, and unpredictable. Ólafsson fits that lane.

No premiere date has been announced yet, but between the lead casting and the steady drip of major Norse roles, this adaptation finally feels like it’s moving from “in development” to “actually happening.”