With Percy Jackson and the Olympians, a journey through Episode 5 leads to a visit to C.C.’s Resort and Spa, where audiences catch up with Hylla at a less exuberant point in her career. Played by Jasmine Vega, this version of Hylla exists much earlier than her more powerful Amazonian persona from Rick Riordan’s novels.
The actress spoke exclusively with Where Is The Buzz about what it’s been like to book the role and step foot in a realm known for having one of the most fervent fan bases in television.
How Did Jasmine Vega Found Out She Booked Percy Jackson?
Jasmine Vega was at home when her phone buzzed with a text that would change her life instantaneously.
“I was at home, and I got a text from my agent in caps: ‘YOU BOOKED PERCY JACKSON!’ Vega said. “It never feels real when you book something. You hear ‘it went the other way’ so often that it sometimes does not register right away.”
Realization slowly dawned on her as she began to make phone calls.
“I called my mom right away, then my friends, who are obsessed with the books,” she continued. “There was a lot of screaming. It hit me in pieces. First excitement, then the weight of what it actually meant to step into this world.”
Meeting Hylla at the Start of Her Journey
For Vega, the appeal of the character was the opportunity to play the pre-war version of Hylla, whom the viewers later know as the warrior.
“What excited me most was how different Hylla is at this point in her life compared to who she eventually becomes. She is not yet the fierce Queen of the Amazons we see later in the books,” Vega answered.
Instead, Hylla appears for the first time as a caretaker at the Circe spa.
“She is so attentive and genuinely caring toward Percy and Annabeth,” Vega said. “Even in this softer version, you can already see the seeds of who she will grow into.”
This opportunity brought its own set of challenges.
The actress continued: “What intimidated me was stepping into a character fans already picture so vividly, I wanted to honor that journey without playing too far ahead.”
Vega portrayed the emotional essence of Hylla, particularly her need to protect those she loves.
“Of course, I know from the books how protective she is of her sister Reyna. That gentleness feels like an important part of her foundation. It makes her evolution later feel much more powerful.”
A Surrealistic First Day on Set
Stepping foot on the Percy Jackson and the Olympians set put the series’ scale into immediate perspective.
“The first thing I saw was the giant tank,” Vega remembered. “The biggest swimming pool you can imagine.”
The resort and spa facilities at the C.C. left an even more substantial impact.
“It was stunning,” she added. “The artistry on this show is unbelievable. Every department puts so much care into building this world.”
For Vega, the significance of the incident lay in its timing in her own life.
“I was going through a tough time physically and mentally,” she said. “Being there gave me a kind of relief I did not expect. I remember thinking how grateful I was just to be there.”
Feeling Welcomed by the Cast
Though she joined an established hit group, Vega felt welcome from the very beginning.
“I met Walker Scobell and Leah Sava Jeffries that same day,” she added. “They were the first people who made me feel truly comfortable.”
Leah was there to help her settle in with her favorite crafty snacks, and Walker was candid with his experiences in landing his part as Percy.
“They are both incredibly talented, but also so grounded,” Vega noticed. “Despite the scale of the show and their success, they are humble and generous. The entire cast made me feel welcomed right away,” Vega said.
Why Jasmine Vega Needs To Find Her Voice and Honor The Diehard Fans?
Right from the beginning, Vega realized that preparation is necessary, more so given their ardent fan support.
“Yes, I studied Hylla even before my audition, meaning I’ve read fandom discussions, and I’ve really tried to understand where her character begins and where she eventually goes,” she said.
However, she remained rooted in the version of Hylla introduced in Episode 5.
“They had me explore a few different variations of Hylla, which was a lot of fun,” Vega explained. “But I never wanted to drift too far from the version I instinctively connected to.”
The public’s feedback has been highly positive. “I have had such a warm welcome online,” Vega added. “I could not have asked for a better fandom to be connected to. It is truly an honor.”
Through her performance in Episode 5, Jasmine Vega introduces Hylla as someone who is not yet a legend but is still being developed. This offers emotional complexity to the character and is a precursor for what is to come in the Percy Jackson world.
