Did Greek mythology capture your interest in school? Well, we have the perfect show for you. Whether you’ve seen it or not, let’s delve into the tales of each main god in the KAOS cast.
KAOS is home to a plethora of well-known figures, from Prometheus and Riddy to Medusa. These legendary giants hold dominion over various domains, including lightning, love, and the oceans.
This TV show offers a unique approach, as it is a modern retelling set in a fictionalized Greece instead of the usual far-flung past. It can be considered the “Sopranos of godliness.”
Our breakdown of the deities’ powers, representations, and differences in the Netflix KAOS cast includes Poseidon’s trident and Medusa’s awe-inspiring locks.
Jeff Goldblum as Zeus
Zeus is a well-known figure in Greek mythology. He is often a prominent character in many stories as the ruler of the gods. As the master of the skies, lightning, thunder, fate, and law, Zeus holds immense power. However, despite being an all-powerful leader, Greek mythology, much like human history, is filled with chaos and disorder.
Despite being married to Hera, Zeus is renowned for his numerous extramarital affairs. He sired numerous offspring with different women, resulting in a mix of full-blooded gods and demi-gods born from his dalliances with mortals. He is often depicted in art as a middle-aged man with a striking beard, and his symbol is the powerful lightning bolt.
The essence of Zeus’ mythology lies in his inherent flaws and immense power. He reigns over his offspring and creations, navigating complex relationships filled with both love and animosity.
Janet McTeer: Portraying Hera
Hera is revered as the Goddess of marriage, women, and family. Her most commonly recognized symbol is the pomegranate, representing traits such as beauty, fertility, and immortality.
The goddess who rules over all gods is known for her envy and desire for retribution (and who can blame her), often directing it towards Zeus’ numerous affairs and their children. Among her offspring are Ares (god of war), Hebe (goddess of youth), and Hephaestus (god of blacksmiths).
Despite her marriage to the chief deity, Hera is often portrayed as a victim. However, this is far from the truth. In the most intriguing adaptations, she is depicted as scornful rather than sorrowful. She is a powerful goddess with her own agenda, and although her relationship with Zeus is genuine, she refuses to be overshadowed by him.
Aurora Perrineau in the role of Eurydice/Riddy
Eurydice was a mortal wood nymph who had a deep spiritual connection to trees. She is best known for her tragic love affair with Orpheus, which ultimately resulted in their downfall when she passed away from a snake bite and was sent to the underworld.
The focus of her story lies in her death and Orpheus’ relentless efforts to revive her, making her a frequent representation of love and its eventual loss.
In KAOS, Eurydice is given the nickname “Riddy”and is married to Orpheus. However, she engages in an affair with Caneus. The show makes a conscious effort to delve into her character beyond her relationship with Orpheus.
Killian Scott as Orpheus
In KAOS, Orpheus is renowned as a musician with worldwide fame, drawing inspiration from his mythological origins. He is well-known for his exceptional musical abilities and is often portrayed playing the lyre. His enchanting melodies have the power to captivate both creatures and plants, making him a symbol of love and artistic expression.
Despite being the other half of this tragic love story, he was determined to bring Eurydice back from the underworld after her passing. Despite coming close to success, his failure was even more devastating.
Despite living a life of despair without his wife, he ultimately meets a tragic end. However, their story has served as inspiration for numerous works of art, something that he would surely have appreciated.
Mission Butler as Caneus
Originally named Caenis, Caeneus was a female who was bestowed with the gift of invulnerability by Poseidon as a token of appreciation for her favors. This incredible transformation turned her into a formidable male warrior, with impenetrable skin.
One of his most remarkable stories tells of his tragic fate. He engaged in a fierce battle with Centaurs, who, unable to harm him, ultimately buried him alive under piles of logs and rocks.
Caeneus is a poignant symbol of reinvention and the fluid nature of identity. This quality makes the character a perfect inspiration for trans narratives and exploring themes of gender. The KAOS production effectively utilized this concept, with the talented trans actor Misia Butler bringing Caeneus to vivid life on stage.
In an interview with Radio Times, he expressed, “Being able to encounter such exceptional writing that truly allows a trans-masculine character to have depth beyond their identity is truly remarkable. It’s not something that happens frequently, so I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of it.”
Actor Spotlight: David Thewlis as Hades
Thewlis is no stranger to portraying deities, having previously played the god of war, Ares, in the film Wonder Woman and sharing the screen with The Endless in Netflix’s The Sandman. It seems he has a strong affinity for these types of roles.
Despite his dark reputation as the god of the underworld, Hades is not considered morally evil. He is responsible for maintaining the natural order and ruling over the dead and the underworld, rather than being the direct god of death. In fact, his alternate name, Plouton, translates to wealthy, connecting him to the natural riches of precious minerals and fertile land.
In Greek mythology, he abducted his niece, Persephone, causing her mother Demeter (the goddess of agriculture) to grieve and the creation of the seasons. However, KAOS changes the story by depicting their relationship as consensual instead.
Rakie Ayola as Persephone
Despite being the daughter of Zeus, Persephone’s story is far from pleasant. While she was innocently picking flowers in the fields, she was suddenly abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld, where she was compelled to become his wife. This myth has often been compared to the intense drama of Game of Thrones.
Demeter’s focus on the world’s harvest ceased after her daughter was taken, causing famine. Zeus ordered Hades to release Persephone, but Hades had deceived her into eating a pomegranate seed. This seemingly minor act had major consequences, as it meant Persephone could not fully return to the land of the living.
Despite this, she still had to divide her time between spending one-third of the year in the underworld and the rest with Demeter. Although she is closely linked with Hades, her story ultimately symbolizes the depth of her mother’s love.
While this may be a minor spoiler, it is important to note that in KAOS’ canon, this statement is false. She vehemently confronts Hera for perpetuating this falsehood. “They believe I was taken against my will, violated, and even fed a pomegranate, which I am actually allergic to. It’s absurd that they doubt my love for Hades,”she asserts in Episode 8.
Cliff Curtis as Poseidon
Poseidon, also known as Aquaman, is a prominent figure in Greek mythology who rules over the vast oceans. He is often at odds with his brothers, Zeus and Hades, and desires to break free from their control.
Poseidon is widely recognized as one of the most physically formidable gods, and his depiction has been frequently utilized in various forms of literature. His volatile nature is also renowned, as a shift in his mood has the ability to either bring about peaceful waters or unleash destructive storms.
Similar to DC’s trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, Greek mythology also has a trio known as the ‘big three’: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. These three brothers, after defeating the Titans, divided the world among themselves.
KAOS’ interpretation depicts a supercriminal, who indulges in smoking cigars and exercises control over the waters.
Stephen Dillane as Prometheus
Prometheus, a descendant of the Titans, was punished for his act of giving fire to humanity after stealing it from Mount Olympus. This act led to the advancement of civilization, but it also resulted in his eternal torment. Zeus, in his anger, bound Prometheus to a rock where an eagle would continuously peck at his regenerating liver every day.
As a result, Hercules was hailed as a savior by mortals and came to be revered as a defender of humanity and a fighter against oppression. In this particular situation, the oppressor was a serial cheater with approximately two million offspring.
Prometheus has been a source of inspiration for numerous stories, including the film Alien, which bears his name. He is a representation of the quest for knowledge, which is why Ridley Scott fittingly chose to use his name for a movie about individuals seeking to comprehend their role in the universe and come face to face with their creators.
His name, which translates to “forethought,”serves as the narrator for the KAOS cast. Dillane’s voice introduces crucial characters and sets the scene for the story.
Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus
Dionysus is known as the god of wine and celebration. He symbolizes both the exhilarating and freeing elements of life, or hedonism, depending on one’s level of traditionalism. His most distinctive characteristics include his two-sided nature and the fact that he experienced two births.
Both joyous and destructive, he represents the balance of order and chaos known as yin and yang. In regards to being born twice, his mother Semele gave birth to him and then he was later reborn from the thigh of Zeus. We are now delving deep into the heart of the matter.
Dionysus is frequently accompanied by Maenads, who essentially act as groupies and participate in his festive gatherings.
Debi Mazar as Medusa
In tales influenced by Greek mythology, Medusa is frequently portrayed as a villain. According to legend, Athena inflicted a curse upon Medusa, causing her to transform into a Gorgon with snakes for hair and a petrifying gaze. While she is not a deity, she remains a prominent figure.
There is a significant amount of literature that delves into the possibility of misogyny in Medusa’s origin story, highlighting one of the fascinating aspects of Greek mythology – its ability to be reinterpreted. Many view Medusa as a representation of female anger, strength, and oppression. As a result, her depiction has been reimagined in numerous feminist works of art.
Despite variations in the story, it is commonly believed that her transformation was a consequence of her vanity or, in some versions, a result of being assaulted by Poseidon in Athena’s temple. Eventually, she was killed by Perseus, who famously wielded her severed head as a weapon.
Despite not being utilized much, it was still enjoyable to witness her inclusion in the show.
The KAOS cast includes the gods and their companions. Additionally, there are numerous smaller side characters, so keep an eye out for them and enjoy spotting them all.
Discover the reasons why the KAOS creator refuses to listen to any complaints about Greek mythology accuracy or the Easter egg hidden in KAOS that you may have overlooked. Additionally, explore other TV shows available for streaming.
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