Young Hercules

As a teenager, Hercules is still learning what it means to be a hero. The show follows his early years as he trains, tests his strength, and handles the kinds of adventures that shape his character. Along the way he forms close bonds with friends who help with fights, schoolwork, and moral questions, while facing monsters, rival warriors, and the occasional divine meddling. Episodes mix action set pieces with lighter moments, keeping most stories self-contained so viewers can watch single episodes without missing key plot points. The tone stays adventurous and youth-oriented, avoiding major spoilers about later events in Hercules' life.

Released in 1998, Young Hercules was created by Andrew Dettmann, Daniel Truly, and Robert Tapert. It draws on classical Greek mythology as source material and stars Ryan Gosling as the title character, with Dean O'Gorman and Chris Conrad in supporting roles.

It didn't collect major industry awards or high-profile nominations, and it wasn't a critical darling. Still, the series earned appreciation within its niche, and occasional retrospective mentions highlight its role as family-friendly mythic entertainment rather than prestige television.

For many viewers the show matters because it gave Ryan Gosling one of his earliest TV leads, and because it captures a specific 1990s approach to fantasy television, with practical effects and episodic storytelling. That nostalgic value keeps it visible among fans of the era, and it occasionally appears in roundups about notable early roles for actors who later became stars.

Critics and viewers tended to give mixed marks, reflected in a modest average rating of about 5.7 out of 10 from a small pool of votes. The series leans on themes like growing up, loyalty among friends, and learning responsibility, while balancing swordplay, monsters, and comedic beats. If you like light, action-oriented fantasy aimed at younger viewers, Young Hercules fits that niche.