Meet Charlie Bushnell: 4 Things to Know About Percy Jackson's Luke Actor (2024)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is officially streaming on Disney+ and features Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan.

Fans have been assured that the eight-episode series will stick closely to the books — a promise that, at least based on the first two episodes and teaser footage, appears to have been kept.

As such, it is fair to assume Luke will play a role in the show relatively similar to the one he played in the books. While he may not be the character with the most actual appearances in the story, he is still important to its plot, as book fans are well aware.

4 Fun Facts About Percy Jackson Star Charlie Bushnell

Meet Charlie Bushnell: 4 Things to Know About Percy Jackson's Luke Actor (1)

At 19 years old, Charlie Bushnell (born on June 16, 2004) can be seen on Disney+ as Luke Castellan in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

After meeting Luke in the show's second episode, fans may want to learn more about Bushnell himself. So, here are a few fun facts:

Stranger Things Inspired Bushnell To Pursue Acting

In a 2021 interview with Popternative, Bushnell revealed that "the exact moment" he decided to pursue acting happened when he watched the first season of Stranger Things in 2017. The Los Angeles-born actor explained that "it just hit [him] like a lightning bolt:"

"You know what, I can tell you the exact moment that I knew I wanted to try acting. It was March 2017. I sat down and binge-watched season 1 of 'Stranger Things' and it just hit me like a lightning bolt… 'I want to do THAT!' I completely fell in love with the world of 'Stranger Things.'"

He discussed the "elaborate worlds" he thought up when playing with toys as a kid among other early indicators from "long before [he] realized [he] wanted to act professionally:"

"But looking back, I’ve always been interested in acting and storytelling. I would create these super elaborate worlds with my toys and create different voices for each of them. Also, I loved making short films with my friends, long before I realized I wanted to act professionally. Man… those were fun times!"

Bushnell's First Big Role Was on Diary of a Future President

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is not Bushnell's first Disney+ appearance. Fans of Diary of a Future President will recognize him as having played Bobby Cañero-Reed.

In an interview with What's on Disney Plus, Bushnell discussed a particularly powerful scene when his character realizes he is gay.

He talked about how he has gotten much "love and support" from the LGBTQIA+ community for his role and shared that the scene "gave [some fans] courage and inspired them to come out." He explained that "the connection [he's] felt with people" was "the best part:"

"I feel so honored that I get to play this character. The love and support I have received from the LGBTQ+ community from all over the world has been incredible and humbling. I’ve received messages from people sharing their stories with me and telling me how much they see themselves in Bobby… with some even saying that the mirror scene gave them courage and inspired them to come out. The connection I’ve felt with people has been the best part."

Charlie Bushnell Wants To Join the MCU

In that same interview with What's on Disney Plus, Bushnell, who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, revealed that he is a big fan of the MCU, having "seen all the movies like a million times."

He added that he "would LOVE to be a part of the MCU one day:"

What's on Disney Plus: "If you could appear in any other Disney-owned franchise? What would it be?"

Bushnell: "Marvel 100%! I’ve seen all the movies like a million times, and I would LOVE to be a part of the MCU one day! Definitely a dream of mine. So uhhh… hey Marvel."

Bushnell is also also "a huge Star Wars fan" and revealed that The Mandalorian was his favorite Disney+ Original — though he had difficulty choosing between Star Wars and Marvel:

What's on Disney Plus: "And finally, what’s been your favorite Disney+ Original so far?"

Bushnell: "Ooohh that’s a tough one! There are so many good Disney+ originals. I’m a huge Star Wars and Marvel fan. It’s hard to choose between the two, but I think I’d have to go with 'The Mandalorian!' This is the way…"

Bushnell Dabbles in Playing Guitar

Bushnell is not only an actor but a musician-in-training, too.

More specifically, as discussed in an interview with REVAMP Magazine, he is learning guitar and likes one song in particular — Black Sabbath's "Iron Man."

He explained that he's "no guitar master," but "there’s just something so powerful about that song" for him:

"Well, to be completely honest, I’m no guitar master, lol. I’m still learning, but one song that I really enjoy playing is 'Iron Man' by Black Sabbath. There’s just something so powerful about that song. It makes me want to go run a marathon or something. It’s also just really fun to play."

Where to Follow Charlie Bushnell on Social Media

If fans want to learn more about the actor, he has accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

The first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians are streaming on Disney+, with the remaining six episodes released weekly on Tuesdays.

Meet Charlie Bushnell: 4 Things to Know About Percy Jackson's Luke Actor (2024)

FAQs

How is Luke described in Percy Jackson? ›

Luke is described as a tall, college-aged young man with an athletic, muscular build. He had short-cropped sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, a sharp nose, and the sneaky look like all Hermes demigod children. Many girls found him particularly attractive, even the Empousa Kelli.

Who plays Luke in the new Percy Jackson? ›

Charlie Bushnell: Luke Castellan.

What happened to Luke in Percy Jackson? ›

Luke dies in The Last Olympian when he is given Annabeth's knife by Percy. He sacrifices himself to defeat Kronos by stabbing himself under his left arm where his mortality was still kept intact after his bath in the River Styx (known as his Achilles heel).

What did Luke do to Percy? ›

Upon returning to Camp Half Blood, Percy is betrayed by his friend Luke, son of Hermes, who turns out to be the human hero whom Kronos used for the theft. Luke poisons Percy, and tells him before leaving that Kronos will rise and destroy the age of the gods. Western Civilization is unraveling.

Did Luke and Annabeth date? ›

Luke was more of a brother to Annabeth anyway. She said in the last book of the series that she never loved him in a romantic way.

How did Luke get his scar? ›

Luke's Scar Is From A Battle With Ladon, A Dragon From His Quest. Though he doesn't reveal the cause of his scar in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2, Luke's backstory from the books indicates that he received it in a battle with a dragon.

Is Luke older than Percy? ›

The movies portray all the characters as roughly the same age, whereas the books feature a 7-year age gap between Luke and 12-year-olds Percy and Annabeth. (Grover is technically 32, but matures at half-speed as he is a satyr.)

How old is Luke in Percy? ›

Charlie Bushnell's Luke Castellan is 19 years old in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Bushnell's Luke Castellan being 19 years old makes him seven years older than Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood.

Is Luke Annabeth's Brother? ›

Hestia, Hades, Poseidon, and Demeter are also Annabeth's grandaunts/granduncles. Annabeth and Luke are cousins. Annabeth and Nico are first cousins once removed. Annabeth and Percy are also first cousins once removed.

Does Annabeth love Percy? ›

Throughout the book, it is mentioned several times that Annabeth is deeply in love with Percy and that she cannot live without him. She also thinks about their future at Camp Jupiter, which Percy mentioned before, and she states that she would like to die peacefully, after spending a long life with Percy.

Did Percy defeat Luke? ›

Luke dies in The Last Olympian when he is given Annabeth's knife by Percy. He commits suicide by stabbing himself under his left arm where his mortality was still kept intact after his bath in the River Styx (known as his Achilles heel).

Does Annabeth like Luke or Percy? ›

Nothing ever happens between Annabeth and Luke, but Percy gets jealous of the other demigod. Annabeth also outwardly admits she had a crush on Luke in The Mark of Athena, the third book in Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series.

Who betrays Percy? ›

The Lightning Thief reveals that Luke is the one who betrays Percy by stealing the Master Bolt. Despite Medusa suggesting that Annabeth will betray Percy, it is unlikely as she remains loyal to him throughout the series.

Is Luke Percy's friend? ›

Luke serves as a guide to Percy as he adjusts to camp life and gifts Percy with magical shoes before Percy embarks on his quest, further encouraging Percy to believe he has made a true ally and friend. Luke betrays Percy and the gods because he himself feels betrayed.

Who stole Zeus Bolt? ›

Luke Castellan, introduced as the claimed son of Hermes, is revealed as the person who stole the Master Bolt in the book, and his motivations stem from his resentment towards the gods and influences from Kronos.

What color is Luke's eyes in Percy Jackson? ›

Luke Castellan
Eye ColorBlue (as himself) Gold (as Kronos)
Hair ColorBlond (Streak of gray in The Titan's Curse)
Height6'1"
AffiliationOlympians The Titans (sometimes)
7 more rows

Why did Luke turn bad in Percy Jackson? ›

Enraged that he was given a quest with no glory (because Hercules did it once) and then failing, and his belief that the gods let Thalia die, Luke began to plot against the gods. Luke dreamed of Kronos, who convinced him to serve him and help him start a war with the gods.

What is Luke's fatal flaw in Percy Jackson? ›

Luke Castellan: His fatal flaw was his excessive wrath. He was unable to forgive his father Hermes for what he had been through. Luke's anger blinded him so much that he went against his closest friends. By the time he realized it, it was too late and Luke ended up sacrificing himself.

What does Percy realize about Luke in Chapter 21? ›

During their conversation, Percy realizes that Luke is the missing piece from his prophesy: the betrayal of a friend. Luke felt deceived by the gods for sending him on a pity quest—one that had already been previously fulfilled by Hercules.

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