‘Helen Of Troy’: A Must-Watch Prequel for Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

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Fresh off his Oscar wins for Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is reportedly tackling a truly massive project: The Odyssey. Set to hit theaters in July 2026, this adaptation of the classic Homer poem will chart Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War. Now, I know what you might be thinking – isn’t this a bit like Troy with Brad Pitt? And you’re right, it shares some DNA. But honestly, if you can’t wait that long, there’s a perfect way to experience the story right now.

The 2003 USA Network miniseries Helen of Troy offers a detailed and all-star retelling of the Trojan War and Homer’s Iliad. It goes further than the film Troy, delving into more characters and storylines that are also hinted at in The Odyssey. While we wait for Christopher Nolan’s new movie, now is a great time to watch Helen of Troy.

What Is ‘Helen of Troy’ About?


USA Network

As a huge fan of classic stories, I always feel like the 2003 miniseries Helen of Troy doesn’t get nearly enough attention. It’s based on Homer’s The Iliad and retells the epic tale of the Trojan War. It originally aired on the USA Network in April 2003 and was written by Ronni Kern and directed by John Kent Harrison. The story kicks off with Paris, the Prince of Troy (played by Matthew Marsden), being sent away to be raised as a shepherd on Mount Ida.

When Paris grew up, he was asked to decide which of three Greek goddesses – Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite – was the most beautiful. Each goddess tried to win his favor with a special gift, but Paris ultimately chose Aphrodite, who promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.

The story shifts to Sparta, where Helen of Troy encounters Agamemnon, who finds himself drawn to her even though he’s married to her sister, Clytemenstra. Helen is then abducted by Theseus, and her brother, Pollux, bravely gives his life to save her, but is killed by Theseus in the process. Following this, Helen’s father compels her to choose a husband from a group of suitors, and she ultimately marries Menelaus.

Although Helen was married to Menelaus, she rekindles a passionate romance with Paris. The story of Helen and Paris is actually more of a heartbreaking love affair than the famous conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon, as depicted in the movie Troy. This affair ultimately leads to the great Trojan War.

‘Helen of Troy’ Is More Comprehensive Than Brad Pitt’s ‘Troy’


USA Network

The miniseries Helen of Troy came out a year before the popular movie Troy, and it actually covers a wider range of Greek myths and stories from that era. If you’re excited about Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Odyssey, this series offers a detailed and historically rich look at the world of ancient Greece that’s hard to match.

I recently watched the movie Troy, and I was really captivated by the story of Achilles, played by Brad Pitt. He’s this incredible Greek warrior who leads his men, the Myrmidons, into a massive battle for the city of Troy, facing off against Hector, the prince, played by Eric Bana. The film briefly shows how Helen and Paris first met, but it mostly centers on Achilles’ courage and how he leads his troops against Hector and even Agamemnon. I also watched the miniseries about Troy, and it was interesting to see how much more attention they gave to Helen’s story compared to the movie – it felt like a more complete picture of everything that led to the war.

Forget the usual focus on Achilles and his battles – this version of the Helen of Troy story really centers on Helen herself and her journey to follow her heart, even if it meant going against her father’s wishes. It’s a surprisingly empowering take! And honestly, the drama between Paris and Helen’s husband, Menelaus, gets way more screen time than it did in the big-screen epic we saw a few years back. It’s a different angle on the Trojan War, for sure.

The miniseries Helen of Troy explores the mythology surrounding the Trojan War in greater detail than the film Troy. It gives more focus to characters like Paris’s mother, Hecuba, and sister, Cassandra, highlighting the powerful roles women play in these classic Greek stories. The acting is also a standout feature, with strong performances from actors like Guillory, Skarsgard, Sewell, and John Rhys-Davies as King Priam of Troy – their work alone makes the series worthwhile.

Given that Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey draws heavily from Emily Wilson’s groundbreaking translation of Homer – and recognizing the strong female characters like Circe, Athena, and Penelope – Helen of Troy feels like a more fitting influence than the movie starring Brad Pitt.

Why ‘Helen of Troy’ Is ‘The Odyssey’s Best Prequel, Explained


Universal Pictures

Both the miniseries and the movie Troy tell the story of Odysseus’s involvement in the Trojan War, which is the central focus of Nolan’s film. Matt Damon portrays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and his decade-long struggle to return home to his wife, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway. While the miniseries heavily emphasizes the tragic romance between Helen and Paris, this relationship feels less important in the movie.

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As a total film buff, I’ve been thinking about the women in Nolan’s take on The Odyssey, and it’s really striking. He introduces us to figures like the sirens, the captivating Circe played by Charlize Theron, Zendaya as the powerful Athena, and even Odysseus’s handmaiden, Melantho, portrayed by Mia Goth. What’s fascinating is how Nolan seems to be giving these characters the same depth and attention that Wolfgang Petersen gave Helen in Troy. It’s especially interesting when you consider Emily Wilson’s groundbreaking 2017 translation of The Iliad – she really brought a new focus to the female perspectives, and I think Nolan is doing the same for The Odyssey.

I’m really excited about Nolan’s take on The Odyssey! While we’ll definitely see familiar faces like Agamemnon and Menelaus, it sounds like he’s making a point of focusing on the incredible women – both the heroes and the complicated ones – who were so important in the Trojan War and what happened to Troy. And even better, Helen of Troy is coming out first and will be a bit longer, diving deeper into the mythology. It’ll give us a fantastic backstory and a lot more context before The Odyssey arrives next July, which I think is a brilliant move!

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2025-12-24 18:41