Hercules (1998–1999)

Bias Rating

Analyzing...

Leans Left

Viewer Rating

Rating: 6.8

Overview

This spin-off of Disney's Hercules (1997) follows Hercules' many labors during the years he spent training how to be a hero under the tutelage of satyr Philoctetes. Olympian Gods and Goddesses, as well as Hades and Pegas...

Starring Cast

Tate Donovan • French Stewart • Sandra Bernhard

Where to watch

Disney Plus

Bias Dimensions

Political: Center

Diversity: High

FemPower: Yes

Overview

Starring Cast

Tate Donovan • French Stewart • Sandra Bernhard

Where to watch

Disney Plus

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...

Leans Left

Primary

Political: CenterConfidence: High

The film's central narrative focuses on universal themes of heroism, self-discovery, and the triumph of good over evil, with its critiques of fame and power being broadly apolitical rather than aligned with specific ideological frameworks.

Diversity: HighConfidence: High

The movie demonstrates significant DEI primarily through the explicit racial recasting of the Muses as Black gospel singers, a clear departure from traditional depictions. However, the core narrative maintains a traditional framing of its hero and other characters, without explicitly critiquing or challenging traditional identities.

Secondary

FemPower: YesConfidence: High

The show features Xena, a highly skilled warrior, who repeatedly engages in and wins close-quarters physical fights against multiple male soldiers and bandits using martial arts and melee weapons.

LGBTQ: N/AConfidence: High

The film 'Hercules' does not include any discernible LGBTQ+ characters or themes. As such, there is no portrayal to evaluate, resulting in an N/A rating for its net impact on LGBTQ+ representation.

Gender Swap: NoConfidence: High

The animated series 'Hercules' (1998–1999) faithfully adapts characters from Greek mythology and the preceding 1997 film. All major and recurring characters maintain their canonically established genders, with no instances of a character widely known as one gender being portrayed as another.

Race Swap: NoConfidence: High

The show is a live-action adaptation of Greek mythology, with characters like Hercules, Zeus, and Hera traditionally depicted as white/Mediterranean. The casting for the 1998-1999 series maintained these traditional portrayals, with no major characters being depicted as a different race than their established canon.