WARNING: This article contains potential spoilers for Troy: Fall of a City
This massive joint production from the BBC and Netflix is an adaptation of Ancient Greek epic, the Iliad.
The age-old story follows the elopement of Helen of Troy (played by Bella Dayne) and Trojan prince Paris (Louis Hunter) and the subsequent war that followed.
A major character in both the original text and the new series in Achilles, who is played by David Gyasi.
In mythology, Achilles is the greatest warrior to ever live.
Who was Achilles in Troy: Fall of a City?
In the works of Homer, Achilles is the greatest warrior to ever live and one of the central characters in the Iliad.
A Greek hero, according to legend, he was the son of the hero Peleus and his mother was the immortal sea nymph, Thetis.
Achilles’ super strength came from when his mother dipped him into the river Styx as an infant, making him unbeatable.
However, the part of him his mother held on to – his heel – was not exposed to the magical water and is his weak point. This is where the term Achilles’ Heel comes from.
During the Trojan War, the warrior was used as the Greeks’ secret weapon and he eventually kills the greatest Trojan fighter, Prince Hector (Tom Weston Jones).
His own death is eventually brought about by Paris – by an arrow to the heel.
Was Achilles from Troy: Fall of a City real?
No – Achilles was not a real person and there is no evidence to suggest that he ever existed.
There are no historical records of a real Ancient Greek fighter by the name of Achilles.
Head of the Department of Classics at King’s College London, Dr Daniel Orrells confirmed to Express.co.uk that Achilles “never actually existed in reality”.
He told Express.co.uk: “One of the reasons why Homer’s poem has stood the test of time is because it polarised opinions and caused debate in Ancient Greek times already.”
Who plays Achilles in Troy: Fall of a City?
Playing the role of the legendary hero is David Gyasi, who has also appeared in movies Interstellar, Annihilation and in TV show Containment.
“We meet Achilles at a interesting point in his life where he appears very philosophical: very thoughtful, very considered about war and about honour and respect,” Gyasi said of his character.
“It was quite fascinating to now discover Homer and this amazing tale that he used to spin. I was very intrigued.”
As a black actor, there has been criticism online of Gyasi’s casting in the role.
Series producer Derek Wax said that diversity was an important part of their casting process.
He told Variety: “It’s only a controversy if people try to manufacture a controversy out of it.”
Dr Orrells backed this up by reinforcing the fact that the story itself is a myth to begin with.
“It’s just a story, so this debate is insulting to the actors involved.
“An actor of any heritage should be able to play Achilles.
“Colour-blind casting is becoming more mainstream now. I hope that this continues.
“There were people of African heritage and darker skin throughout the eastern Mediterranean in ancient times.”
Troy: Fall of a City continues on Saturday night on BBC One at 9pm.
