Timothy Simons Says It Was ‘Really Fun’ to FilmPercy JacksonSeries Because His Kids Were So ‘Passionate’ About Books (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Timothy Simons.Photo:Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

ForTimothy Simons, getting cast inPercy Jackson and the Olympianshas a special resonance.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of hisCoors Light 2025 Super Bowl ad, Simons, 46, says that the role was especially exciting for his twin 13-year-olds — who had just picked up the book series for the first time a few months before he was cast.

“They loved them,” the actor says of his kids’ relationship to the books. “It’s very fun to know that I can do something my kids are into.”

The role marks a new adventure for the actor, who is best known for his recurring character across all seven seasons of the raunchy comedyVeep, playing foul-mouthed White House staffer Jonah Ryan.

“We haven’t shown themVeepyet for very obvious reasons,” Simons tells PEOPLE. “But this was really fun for them … to see something that they’re passionate about that I got to be in.”

Timothy Simons.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

The actor adds that the young cast members ofPercy Jackson“were really gracious” when he told them about his kids’ love of the book series.

“I brought up some books and the cast all signed the books,” says Simons, adding that his kids “were over the moon.”

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“I don’t know how long those positive vibes are going to last,” jokes the dad about his teenage kids. “There are a lot of emotions running around my house, and usually they’re directed at me.”

In addition to Simons, the series will welcome a host of new cast members for season 2:The Deliverance’sAndra Dayas the goddess Athena;The Half Of It’s Daniel Diemer as Percy’s Cyclops half-brother Tyson andResident Evil’s Tamara Smart as daughter of Zeus Thalia Grace.

Timothy Simons.Eric Charbonneau/Netflix via Getty

Eric Charbonneau/Netflix via Getty

Simons tells PEOPLE it was particularly fun to work on the set ofPercy Jacksonbecause many of the adults on the show “get to be the fools” — while “everything is deadly serious” for the younger characters.

“The adults get to be a little bit scary in moments and goofy,” says the actor. “We can really have fun and be a little bit bigger — because essentially I was doing mask work. I had two and a half hours in the makeup chair every morning.”

“I had a really wonderful time,” he says.

source: people.com