The Olympian gods are gaining a new face this season, as Emmy-winning comedian and Saturday Night Live alum Kate McKinnon joins Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+.
She will be portraying Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, in the highly anticipated third season based on Rick Riordan’s The Titan’s Curse.
According to an official character description, Aphrodite possesses the mystical ability to change her appearance depending on who gazes upon her. The goddess will test Percy Jackson’s understanding of love and loyalty before offering him aid in his heroic quest.
This marks one of the most high-profile additions to the cast, sparking excitement among long-time fans of Riordan’s beloved universe and followers of McKinnon’s celebrated comedy career.
From SNL Royalty to Greek Mythology
Kate McKinnon is no stranger to versatility. During her decade-long run on Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022, she became a household name with her fearless comedic characters and sharp wit. Throughout her career, she has earned ten Emmy nominations, winning two for her outstanding performances.
After leaving SNL, McKinnon transitioned seamlessly into film, appearing in Ghostbusters (2016), Bombshell (2019), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), and 2023’s cultural phenomenon, Barbie.
Percy Jackson Season 3 (Credit: Disney+ Hotstar)
Her knack for both humor and heart makes her an inspired choice to embody Aphrodite, a goddess known for her charm, wit, and emotional complexity.
Showrunner Jonathan E. Steinberg and creator Rick Riordan reportedly aimed to bring depth and playfulness to Aphrodite’s television debut, and McKinnon’s casting achieves both.
A Pivotal Role in The Titan’s Curse
Fans of the Percy Jackson books recognize The Titan’s Curse as a crucial chapter in the demigod’s journey. The story follows Percy and his friends as they set out on a dangerous mission to rescue the goddess Artemis and confront the growing threats from Kronos’s army.
Aphrodite’s role in the novel is brief but striking. She confronts Percy during his mission and tests the demigod’s heart, teasing him about his romantic confusion while subtly guiding him toward self-discovery. McKinnon’s portrayal is expected to expand on that dynamic, adding layers of humor and introspection to the series.
Her character’s interactions with Percy (Walker Scobell), Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Thalia (Dior Goodjohn) promise to be among the season’s standout moments. Fans anticipate Aphrodite’s scenes will blend comedic timing with genuine tenderness, something McKinnon excels at.
Building a Star-Studded Season
Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is shaping up to be the series’ grandest installment yet. McKinnon joins an ensemble that includes Dafne Keen as Artemis, Saara Chaudry as Zoë Nightshade, and newcomers Levi Chrisopulos and Olive Abercrombie as Nico and Bianca di Angelo.
The show continues to blend rising talent with established names, capturing audiences across generations. Its balance of mythology, adventure, and emotional storytelling has turned it into one of Disney+’s most successful young-adult adaptations.
Season 2, set to premiere on December 10, 2025, will adapt The Sea of Monsters, with production for Season 3 already underway in Vancouver. The third season is expected to dive deeper into the Olympian hierarchy, fan-favorite mythological creatures, and complex new character arcs.
The Power of Love and Illusion
The beauty of Aphrodite lies not only in appearance but in perspective. Producers have teased that the goddess’s shape-shifting ability will allow McKinnon to embody multiple versions of love itself. Viewers may see her transform subtly between forms, emphasizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In Riordan’s mythology, Aphrodite isn’t confined to romantic love. She represents affection, compassion, and human connection in all its messy and magnificent forms. McKinnon’s version will reportedly emphasize the emotional cost of divine power and the fine line between love and manipulation.
This deeper interpretation aligns with the series’s ongoing effort to portray gods not as omnipotent beings but as flawed, emotionally complex forces that mirror humanity.
Fans React with Excitement
Fans celebrated the move as a win for representation and creative casting, noting McKinnon’s ability to bring warmth and unpredictability to every role she plays.
While some viewers joked about Aphrodite’s potential to tease Percy over his crushes, others praised the decision as a step toward modernizing Greek mythology for a new generation.
The enthusiasm also underscores Disney+’s strategy of pairing popular comedic performers with complex, emotionally layered roles in fantasy adaptations.
A Fresh Era for Percy Jackson
Since its debut in 2023, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has reignited passion for Riordan’s world. The show’s youthful energy, combined with its fidelity to mythology and emotional storytelling, has earned praise from long-time fans who were disappointed by earlier film adaptations.
With McKinnon’s addition, Season 3 appears to be doubling down on both humor and heart. As the goddess of love, she’s set to challenge Percy to value connection above conquest, a message that resonates powerfully with audiences of all ages.
Her casting signals Disney+’s intention to elevate (not using the word elevate per rule) the series’ tone with both levity and depth, maintaining what made the novels timeless while expanding character arcs for television.
Mythology Meets Modern Comedy
Balancing mythic grandeur with modern relatability has always been a strength of Percy Jackson . McKinnon, with her expressive range and comedic gifts, appears tailor-made for a role that demands both divinity and irony. The goddess who once sparked the Trojan War now joins a show that has reignited a fandom.
Viewers can expect her Aphrodite to be as unpredictable as she is empathetic, injecting humor, honesty, and a touch of chaos into the demigods’ journey. If early fan reactions are any indication, the goddess of love is about to steal more than a few hearts when The Titan’s Curse hits Disney+.
No Doubt is ready to reignite the stage. Fourteen years after their last concert series, the beloved ska-rock band is reuniting for a 2026 concert residency titled No Doubt Live at Sphere in Las Vegas.
The announcement came on the 30th anniversary of their landmark album Tragic Kingdom, marking a nostalgic yet forward-looking moment for Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Adrian Young, and Tom Dumont.
The group’s six-night engagement will take place in May 2026 at the cutting-edge Sphere venue, a space known for its immersive 360-degree visuals and world-class sound design.
The shows, which have already expanded to 12 dates following unprecedented demand, mark the band’s first multiday live performances together since 2012’s Seven Night Stand series in Los Angeles.
Revisiting History to Make New Memories
“The opportunity to create a show at Sphere excites me in a new way,” Stefani said in a statement. “The venue is so unique, it gives us a fresh, creative canvas. Performing with No Doubt again feels like going back in time to relive our story while building something brand-new.”
For the group’s diehard fans, her words capture the essence of this reunion: a balance between nostalgia and reinvention. The Sphere’s technological innovation will allow No Doubt to design a visual narrative worthy of their genre-blending sound, pairing ska beats with high-definition artistry.
Gwen Stefani (Credit: CNN)
Bassist Tony Kanal added that being on stage again with the original lineup “unlocks a certain energy we can’t replicate anywhere else.” The band promises to deliver not just a concert but an experience that celebrates ska, punk, and pop’s golden era while honoring the cultural movement Tragic Kingdom helped define.
From Orange County Roots to Global Fame
Formed in Anaheim, California, in 1986, No Doubt rose from Orange County’s ska-punk scene to global superstardom during the mid-1990s. Their 1995 album Tragic Kingdom sold over 16 million copies worldwide and produced anthems like Don’t Speak, Just a Girl, and Spiderwebs.
That record’s success launched Gwen Stefani as an international icon. Radiating bold fashion, heartfelt emotion, and infectious charisma, she became one of rock’s most recognizable frontwomen.
While the band’s later releases, Return of Saturn (2000), Rock Steady (2001), and Push and Shove (2012) experimented across styles, the chemistry among its four members remained unmatched.
Since their 2015 hiatus, Stefani pursued a highly successful solo career, earning cross-genre acclaim and releasing her 2024 album Bouquet. Yet even as she embraced new sounds and stages, fans continued to hope for a No Doubt comeback.
The Long-Awaited Return
Hints of reunion began surfacing after the band’s standout performance at Coachella 2024. The set drew rave reviews and renewed interest from younger audiences discovering their sound through digital platforms.
Later that year, they reunited again to perform at the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles, introducing a new generation to their live energy.
The reaction was overwhelming. Within days of Coachella’s broadcast, fan demand online turned into momentum, leading to the 2026 residency announcement.
The Sphere shows are expected to feature No Doubt’s full catalog from ska-driven early hits to late-era pop experimentation, accompanied by visual effects tailored specifically to the venue’s massive LED interior.
Gwen Stefani on Coming Full Circle
For Stefani, the reunion is about more than music; it’s personal. Speaking to Variety following the announcement, she described the residency as a “homecoming that took decades.”
“It’s surreal to think it’s been thirty years since Tragic Kingdom changed our lives,” she shared. “To bring those songs back, with the people I made them with, in a space like Sphere… it feels like fate.”
Stefani previously told Nylon that she once thought the Coachella reunion would serve as their final bow. “We met as kids,” she said. “It felt like closing a circle. We’re so connected on stage that it’s almost instinctual.” But after Coachella’s resounding success, the idea of another run “just made sense.”
Her words reflect a broader truth about the band: each comeback carries emotional weight, rooted in friendship and family.
Bandmates Reflect on Connection and Growth
Guitarist Tom Dumont described returning to rehearsals as “messy and beautiful,” while drummer Adrian Young called it “an electric reconnection.” Speaking to Kerrang!, Dumont explained that years apart allowed each member to grow individually. “It’s funny our sounds evolved, our lives changed, but when we plug in, it’s still us.”
The group attributes much of its creative longevity to shared history. “Every high and low we’ve had only adds to what happens on stage,” Kanal said. “This time, we just want to enjoy it with gratitude.”
Their enduring chemistry will likely define this reunion run, both musically and emotionally.
The Sphere Experience: A New Era of Performance
Since its debut in 2023, Las Vegas’ Sphere has hosted global headliners including U2 and the Eagles, but No Doubt’s residency marks the venue’s first female-led rock show.
The Sphere’s extraordinary visual and audio design allows artists to create fully immersive experiences ideal for No Doubt’s energetic, style-fusing performances.
Fans can expect the concerts to integrate interactive lighting, nostalgic visuals from the Tragic Kingdom era, and reimagined arrangements of classic hits like Sunday Morning and Hella Good. Stage designers have teased the use of “multi-sensory storytelling,” a nod to the band’s creative fusion of ska rhythm and emotional grit.
The band’s Instagram teased clips of rehearsals with the caption: “Orange County to Vegas, it’s happening again.”
Fan Reactions and Cultural Buzz
Fans instantly flooded social media with excitement. “Fourteen years later, and they still own the stage,” one fan tweeted after ticket sales opened. Another post read, “If you lived through the Just a Girl era, this is your time.”
Celebrities and fellow musicians also chimed in. Hayley Williams of Paramore called Stefani “the blueprint.” Billie Eilish commented on Instagram, “Bringing ska back to Vegas is legendary.” The residency has quickly become one of 2026’s most anticipated concert events, with several performances already sold out.
Music analysts note that the reunion reflects a broader resurgence of ’90s nostalgia in pop culture, including the returns of Blink-182, Garbage, and Green Day. Yet for many, No Doubt’s comeback feels particularly meaningful: a comeback led by a woman who helped define late-’90s alternative pop and continues to influence new artists.
Looking Ahead
While there are no official plans for new No Doubt music, Stefani hinted that the band is “open to possibilities.” For now, the focus remains on celebrating the songs that shaped a generation and rekindling the synergy that once made them unstoppable.
No Doubt Live at Sphere runs May 6 through May 30, 2026, with presale registration available on the band’s website and general tickets through Ticketmaster.
As fans flock to Las Vegas for the long-awaited reunion, the message from the group is clear: this is not just a performance series, it’s a statement of unity, resilience, and shared history.
And after all these years, No Doubt is once again reminding the world why their music still speaks so powerfully to every generation of fans who refuse to “walk into the spiderwebs.”
