Aryan Simhadri

For Aryan Simhadri, Grover feels like the Superman of the Percy Jackson universe.

Consider, Simhadri tells me, Grover’s identity as half-human, half-satyr in a world of demigods. Much like Superman himself, this sense of outsiderness reveals Grover’s true strength: a stubborn refusal to forsake hope, even in the worst times.

Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novels, Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old demigod and son of Poseidon, as he journeys through a world ruled by Greek gods and threatened by ancient titans. Simhadri portrays Grover Underwood, Percy’s trusted protector and closest friend.

Playing a satyr Superman is no easy feat; yet, Simhadri approaches the lovable character with a fusion of effortless humor and sincere attentiveness to detail. On set, his dedication to portraying Grover authentically shines through, whether he’s building genuine connections with his co-stars or mastering Blackbird on the panpipes.

As Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians concludes, Simhadri looks back on how Grover’s role both challenged and shaped his acting so far. “I like to think that I am becoming more like Grover every day,” he jokes, musing on the character’s influence. In our conversation, Simhadri opens up on Grover’s arc in the newest season amid isolation, his bonds with co-stars like Walker Scobell (Percy), and how he embodies the loyal satyr on-screen.

Timid Magazine:  Grover begins season 2 essentially on his own quest, facing dangers and isolation before reuniting with Percy. How did shifting that dynamic affect how you approached Grover’s emotional arc this season?

Aryan Simhadri: The biggest challenge for Grover this season is having to own up to his journey. He sidelines it in favor of protecting his friends—which is absolutely his role as a protector—but now the only person he needs to protect is himself. He has to come to terms with the fact that he’s on this mission he was born to do, and that he has to be independent.

TM: You have been working with Walker Scobell (Percy) and Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth) since season 1, and season 2 brings on new cast members into the storyline. How has that dynamic evolved on set?

AS: I think the biggest thing is that I wasn't there for a lot of the filming. I would see [Walker] every night, and we'd go to the gym or get food, and I would always only hear about his day but never see him during the daytime. It was so weird.

Diving back into Percy Jackson mode, Grover’s dynamic with Percy and Annabeth has kind of shifted this season. I think when they finally reunite, it's a different friendship than it was when they first started. Not only have Percy and Annabeth developed so much, but Grover has to acknowledge that they've grown. Being a protector is realizing that you've done your job and that you need to let the kids run free.

TM: Playing Grover comes with a lot of heart and vulnerability. Has stepping into that energy changed how you carry yourself off-set?

AS: I think everyone should be a little bit more like Grover. He's just kind of the perfect friend. Even when I was first reading the books as a kid, that was something I always really admired about him. And so hopefully, he is having an effect on me.

TM: Grover’s personality is defined by loyalty and protection. Did stepping into his shoes (or hooves) make you think about friendship in a new way?

AS: Yeah, specifically with Walker. Whenever Walker and I are talking, we'll have conversations that are exactly like the ones that Grover and Percy have. And, yeah, it's weird to think that we kind of have the same relationship. Not that I'm a mentor to Walker in any sense; he teaches me more than I do him. It’s understanding how all the different aspects of being a friend balance out.

TM: Growing up, did representation on screen affect the kinds of roles you imagined yourself playing?

AS:  I grew up watching Bollywood and Hollywood movies. I was like, there are so many people on screen who look like me doing [acting]. And it was just the best thing ever. Being able to do acting now is, like, my dream job. I can't imagine doing anything else. I've always wanted to work on a Bollywood movie because I think that'd be awesome. I don't speak Hindi at all, but I think it'd be really funny.

TM: You’ve joked before that acting started as something your parents signed you up for. When did it begin to feel like a path you wanted to take seriously?

AS: I can't remember a moment in time when I really fell in love with acting. I guess just the thought that I could do something else never occurred to me. I can't imagine, like, if I stopped doing this. I don't think there was ever really a specific moment where I fell in love with it. I think it was a culmination of a lot of different things.

TM: Looking back, who were your real-life “Grovers”?

AS: My dad is very similar to Grover. If anything, he's like Pan. I mean, he's so chill, and he's a very wise person. There have just been so many people who have been such great protectors and role models in my life. I think even Daniel Diemer (Tyson) is one of them. I learn more about Grover every day just by hanging out with Daniel.

TM: What’s something that surprised you about yourself while working on this series?

Actually, I wrote my college essay about this. When I first started working with my acting coach in season 1, I hated analyzing scripts. I thought it was so boring and redundant. I was like, the whole point is to just figure it out as you go. And my acting coach asked me, “How many pages would you write if someone were trying to play you?”

That really stuck with me. I think that one quote has probably been the biggest thing to affect my acting journey.

-

All episodes of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” are available to binge now on Disney+ and Hulu. Season 3 coming this year.