300: Rise Of An Empire Cast & Returning Character Guide

Summary 300: Rise of An Empire features returning characters and introduces new ones, continuing the battles between Athens, Sparta, and Persia.

The sequel explores the aftermath of King Leonidas' death, with Themistokles taking on the role of the lead warrior against Xerxes and Artemisia.

The highly stylized 300 movies, criticized for historical inaccuracy, provide an action-packed and dramatic experience for viewers.

300: Rise of An Empire sees a number of characters and cast members carry over from the first film. Loosely based on historical truths, both 300 and its sequel 300: Rise of an Empire tell the story of the battles between Athens, Sparta, and Persia. Though known for their highly stylized elements, the ultra-quotable 300 movies are widely criticized for their lack of historical accuracy despite finding its drama in being a sweeping period piece.

300, which was released in 2006, focuses on action movie star Gerard Butler’s King Leonidas and his quest to lead the Spartans to victory against Xerxes and the rest of the Persian army. In a dramatic conclusion to the film, Leonidas is slain at the hands of enemy Xerxes himself, who cuts off his head and employs his army to kill all 300 of the king’s Spartan soldiers. The 2014 film 300; Rise of an Empire acts as a prequel and a sequel to this film, building up to King Leonidas’ death and showing what happens in its aftermath.

Related Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked By Rewatchability Some Zack Snyder movies, like 300 and Dawn of the Dead, warrant more rewatches than others, like Sucker Punch and the overlong Batman v Superman.

Cast Member Character Name Sullivan Stapleton Themistokles Rodrigo Santoro Xerxes Lena Headey Queen Gorgo David Wenham Dilios Andrew Pleavin Daxos Peter Mensah Persian Emissary Andrew Tiernan Ephialtes Eva Green Artemisia Hans Matheson Aeskylos Callan Mulvey Scyllias Jack O'Connell Calisto Igal Naor King Darius

Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles

Born June 14, 1977

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Active Since: 1994

Actor: Stapleton is an Australian actor who was born in Melbourne and began his career at a young age. His breakout role was playing Craig Cody in the 2010 film Animal Kingdom, which likely helped lead to his role in 300: Rise of an Empire, which was released four years later. Stapleton is primarily a film actor, whose other roles include Jack Whalen in Gangster Squad and Matt in Darkness Falls and a role in the TV series Strike Back. His most recent work includes playing Daniel in the TV series After the Trial.

Character: Themistokles takes over as the new lead in 300: Rise of an Empire. Themistokles is a strong Athenian warrior, and it is established from the beginning that he has killed King Darius, who is the father of Persian warrior and 300 villain Xesxes. It is this action that helps kick start the main conflict of the film, as Xerxes now has a vendetta against Themistokles and his people.

Rodrigo Santoro As Xerxes

Born August 22, 1975

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Active Since: 1994

Actor: Santoro was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and broke into Hollywood acting when he played Karl in the 2003 film Love, Actually. His part in the 300 series was his biggest role, but he has gone on to act in a number of notable films and TV shows. This has included playing Paulo in the hit ABC series Lost as well as Hector in HBO’s acclaimed Westworld.

Character: As in the case of the first 300 film, Xerxes is the main villain in 300: Rise of an Empire. Within his quest to seek vengeance for the death of his father, Xerxes is also offered the ability to become a God. Xerxes accepts this offer, as well as the crown as he succeeds his slain father. He is henceforth known as a “God-King” in the film. Returning from a journey that culminates in this God-King transformation, Xerxes declares war on Greece once he returns to Persia.

Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo

Born October 3, 1973

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Active Since: 1992

Actor: Headey is a Bermudian-British actress who was born in Hamilton, Bermuda. Similarly to Santoro, Headey’s main breakout role was in 300 in 2006. Since then, however, the actress has gone on to have numerous standout roles, including playing Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, for which she was nominated for five Emmys. Now, Headey plays the lead role in the stirring space-bound series Beacon 23.

Character: Queen Gorgo is a returning character in the sequel, and the widow of the fallen King Leonidas. Queen Gorgo is the one who tells her fleet of Spartan men the story of how Themistokles killed King Darius. She is also initially hesitant to join forces with Athens when Themistokles arrives in search of King Leonidas, wanting him and Gorgo’s support.

David Wenham as Dilios

Born September 21, 1965

Active Since: 1987

Actor: Wenham is an actor whose breakout role came in 2002, when he played Faramir in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, a role which he later reprised in 2003’s Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. He has gone on to appear in several high-profile, Oscar-nominated films, including Lion and Elvis. Wenham’s recent work comprises roles in works such as Faraway Downs, Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back, and Pieces of Her.

Character: Dilios is a returning character from 300. He is inspired by the real-life Spartan hero Aristodemus of Sparta, who, like the character in the film, has also lost one of his eyes. The character is a warrior who plays a smaller role in Rise of an Empire as compared with 300, but is still a recurring character. Dilios becomes the leader of Greece’s Spartan Army after the death of King Leonidas.

Andrew Pleavin as Daxos

Born April 13, 1968

Active Since: 1998

Actor: Pleavin is a British actor born in London, England. Like several of his co-stars, 300 is one of the actor’s major roles. Prior to the first film, he had played a small role in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. Despite having an active career for a while that included TV movies and theatrical releases such as London Has Fallen, Pleavin appears to have finished his career in acting. His most recent role was seven years ago in the movie American Assassin.

Character: Daxos is another character brought over from 300 to its sequel. He is an Arcadian general who later leads the Arcadian army in a battle among the Greek city-states. Daxos is also responsible for delivering the information to lead Themistokles that Leonidas and his army have been killed, once 300: Rise of an Empire catches up to the chronology of the first film.

Peter Mensah as Persian Emissary

Born August 27, 1959

Active Since: 1995

Actor: Mensah was born in St. Albans, England, which is a city north of London. His acting career kicked off when he was well into adulthood, with his breakout role coming in 2001 when he played Sgt. Brodski in the movie Jason X. Mensah has also acted in the Starz TV series Spartacus, in the role of Oenomaus, as well as a smaller role in the James Cameron film Avatar. Mensah recently appeared in a 2023 episode of FBI: Most Wanted and is set to appear in Gladiator 2 later this year.

Character: While Mensah is a returning actor from the original 300, his role is far more substantial in 300: Rise of an Empire. While he is still unnamed, Mensah’s Persian emissary role raises and trains Artemisia. Artemisia is a key element to 300: Rise of an Empire, so the role of Mensah’s character is more closely connected with the plot in the sequel film.

Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes

Born November 30, 1965

Active Since; 1989

Actor: Tiernan was born in the United Kingdom in a town called Laywood. His first major acting break came in 1991 when he acted in Derek Jaman’s Edward II. In addition to his 300 roles, Tiernan is also known as a director and as an actor in films such as The Pianist. Recently, the actor’s work includes roles in Happy Valley and Monico Perseus.

Character: Ephialtes is another returning character from 300. He is based on a real-life person who was known as a betrayer of the Greeks, something he does in the film 300 when he defects to work with Xesxes. It is Ephialtes' betrayal that eventually leads to the death of Leonidas and his soldiers. After the death of Leonidas in 300: Rise of An Empire, Themistokles comes to take revenge on Ephialtes, but decides to spare him.

Other Cast & Characters in 300: Rise of an Empire

The Supporting Cast Is Just As Important

Eva Green as Artemisia: Artemisia is a new character, and one of the main characters of 300: Rise of an Empire. She was born in Greece, but defected to Persia when her family was raped and murdered by Greek hoplites. She is the character who convinces Xerxes to transform into a God-King, setting up a key plot point in the film. Other than the 300 sequel, Green is known for roles in works such as Casino Royale, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Penny Dreadful.

Hans Matheson as Aeskylos: Aeskylos is a character not seen in the original 300, because he comes into the story with Themistokles. He is the protagonist’s first in command, helping him on his various journeys. As an actor, Matheson’s most notable roles include the 2009 adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Clash of the Titans, and Half Light.

Callan Mulvey as Scyllias: Scyllias is an old friend to Themistokles, who helps reveal Artemisia’s story to the main character (and by extension, the audience). He is also one of the commanders of the warships as Themistokles heads into battle. The actor has had roles in films such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Outlaw King, and Captain America; The Winter Soldier.

Jack O’Connelll as Calisto: Calisto is the son of Scyllias. O’Connell is one of the youngest members of the 300: Rise of an Empire cast, as he was 24 years old at the time of its release. The same year, he played Louis Zamperini in the Angelina Jolie war drama Unbroken. His more recent roles include Ferrari and Rogue Heroes.

Igal Naor as King Darius: Though he dies early on in the story, King Darius plays a key role in 300: Rise of an Empire. He is the father to Xerxes, and his murder causes Xerxes to want to seek vengeance to the level that he does. Naor is an Israeli actor whose other work includes Fauda, Munich Games, Homeland, and Riviera.