The show features the efforts of Ares (Hercules and Xena), the god of war, played by Kevin Smith (New Zealand actor), who attempts often to destroy his younger half-brother to win over Zeus' good graces. Among his group is his nephew Enyalius (Joel Tobeck), who is the rather weaker member of the team. Strife's mother is Discordia, goddess of retribution (Meighan Desmond), who acts more level-headed and power hungry than her counterpart on more than one occasion. The series has two other villains: Hera, queen of the gods and Hercules's stepmother; and Apollo, god of the sun and Hercules's half-brother.