Percy Jackson and the Olympians, based on the successful book series by Rick Riodan, is coming to Disney+ on December 20. Leah Jeffries (Empire), who plays Annabeth, daughter of Athena, spoke with Entertainment Weekly prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike about what it is like to be portraying her version of Annabeth. According to Screenrant, “The star also hopes to be an inspiration to other girls and added that her experience filming the Disney+ series has been phenomenal and unbelievable.”

The Percy Jackson franchise is not new to fantasy and adventure fans as the new series is the successor to five novels and two films that starred Logan Lerman (The Perks of Being a Wallflower). Riordan describes Annabeth Chase in the books as a white female with blonde hair. Alexandra Daddario (White Lotus), who plays Annabeth in the films, slightly differs from the novel’s description, as she is a brunette. Jeffries’ version of Annabeth differs even more from the books and film as she is a Black actress. Jeffries stated that Annabeth in the new series will be a different person in all respects. Via Screenrant, Jeffries said in Entertainment Weekly, “I’m playing a character that is a different person, different hair color, different skin tones, and all that. That’s what the prototype was. Just to hear that I’m playing her different was like, wow, I’m gonna be an inspiration to other girls…”

There has been disapproval surrounding the choice of Jeffries to play Annabeth due to her skin color. Riordan, who is heavily involved in the new series as an executive producer and writer, published a blog calling out the racism where he wrote, “This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. It’s a shame such posts need to be written, but they do…Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth’s strength. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be.“