It takes time to figure out how to play a cyclops, actor Daniel Diemer says.
“You have to figure out what motivates him, what he loves about himself, about other people and how he connects with the world around him,” Diemer says.
“That’s my favorite part of putting together a character — figuring out the psychology and sociology and then, with the Cyclops, finding the physicality,” Diemer says.
In the second season of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” Diemer’s Tyson towers over many of the other campers and finds himself treated differently.
Daniel Diemer stars in Season 2 of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians."
With one eye, “he connects with people in a slightly different way. Depth perception is a completely different thing. He moves, especially in battle scenes, a little faster. There’s a little bit more carefulness, but he’s also a master craftsman.”
Building a character from the ground up is fascinating, Diemer says. The 29-year-old Canadian actor had roles in numerous films and television series, then landed a role in “The Man in the High Castle” and a lead in “The Half of It” before “Percy” came calling.
Prepping for “Percy Jackson,” however, began way before the television series was ordered. “I’d read all of the books multiple times when they were first coming out,” Diemer says. “I’ve been a huge fan for ages and I’ve been very aware where (Tyson) ends up.”
On a quest with Leah Sava Jeffries’ Annabeth, he’s an important part of the second season’s trajectory.
“There’s a deftness to the way he’s able to build things that’s really special. We’re trying to stay true to the books and be present on the day to day as well,” Diemer says.
