Dennis Hopper Starred In A Forgotten TV Series That Adapted Greek Mythology

Several television series have adapted Greek mythology over the years, such as American Gods, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Xena: Warrior Princess. However, a lesser-known series starring the late Dennis Hopper also deserves recognition. Titled Jason and the Argonauts, this miniseries was based on the classic Greek tale of hero Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece.

Hopper portrayed Pelias, the villainous figure who murdered Jason's father, the Greek King of Iolkos. The two-part series premiered on NBC in May 2000 and starred an ensemble cast including Jason London, Frank Langella, Natasha Henstridge, Derek Jacobi, Olivia Williams, Brian Thompson, and Adrian Lester. As of the current writing, the adaptation is available on several platforms, including Prime Video.

Dennis Hopper, known for his villainous roles, showcased his talent in this project. Other notable villainous performances include his roles in Speed, Blue Velvet, Super Mario Bros., and the TV adaptation of Crash. Hopper's character in Crash, Ben Cendars, was particularly over-the-top, according to Hopper himself. Although fans appreciated his villainous characters, Hopper emphasized that he is a mild-mannered introvert, and these roles have little to do with his reality.