Transfer apart Percy Jackson, KAOS is right here to fulfill the modern-day Greek mythology adaptation itch.
The primary season of the Netflix present was launched in August 2024 and options Jeff Goldblum as a paranoid and spiteful Zeus who’s fearful {that a} prophecy about his downfall is coming to fruition. Narrated by Prometheus (Stephen Dillane), the story unfolds in modern-day Crete and follows numerous mythological characters like Eurydice and Caeneus as they navigate their gods-fearing world.
Whereas not all the most well-known gods and heroes are included within the story, some large names like Hera, Dionysus and Orpheus play a big function within the story.
So what are the myths KAOS is predicated on? This is the whole lot to know concerning the Greek mythology behind the characters.
Zeus
Zeus is arguably essentially the most well-known of the Greek gods because the king of all of them. His specialties embrace being the god of thunder and lightning, and he’s recognized for having a testy temperament which might result in inclement climate for the people he reigns over as he presides above them in his palace on Mt. Olympus.
Zeus can be well-known for fathering a lot of youngsters and his infidelity to his spouse, Hera. Within the present, Goldblum performs a true-to-myth Zeus, residing in a gold-plated palace and steadily brainstorming find out how to punish people after they disrespect him. Because the story is about within the modern-day, KAOS‘ Zeus swapped the white Grecian robes for designer-looking outfits, full with thunderbolt accents.
Hera
Hera is Zeus’ spouse — and likewise his sister — and is the queen of the gods, in addition to the goddess of fertility and marriage. She is usually portrayed as a girl who scorns and brutally punishes Zeus’ lovers.
In KAOS, Hera, performed by Janet McTeer, takes the punishment one step additional and has a proclivity for turning Zeus’ mistresses into bees — and spying on folks’s recollections by her tongueless devotees, the tacitas.
Eurydice
Eurydice has a tragic story in mythology: she dies from a toxic snake chunk on her marriage ceremony day to Orpheus. She then descends into the Underworld, thus starting Orpheus’ journey of making an attempt to carry her again.
Preferring to be referred to as Riddy, Aurora Perrineau has a unique tackle Eurydice in KAOS. Not like the parable, Eurydice is the principle character and, unbeknownst to Orpheus, she not loves her husband. Riddy is on her method to let him know when she is hit by a automotive after renouncing the gods. Nonetheless, she’s on a journey to search out extra than simply her destiny within the Underworld.
Orpheus
Orpheus in KAOS sticks very near the mythological story surrounding the Greek hero. In his story, Orpheus has musical tremendous powers with a lyre gifted to him by Apollo. He journeys into the Underworld to carry again his love, Eurydice, and makes a take care of Hades that he can play her out of there so long as he doesn’t flip round to test if she’s behind him. Nonetheless, he does certainly look and is caught within the Underworld ceaselessly.
Within the present, Orpheus (Killian Scott) is simply as hopelessly in love with Riddy and is a well-known singer. He begins working with Dionysus to attempt to get Riddy again from the Underworld after he practically dies making an attempt to hitch her there himself.
Caeneus
A lesser recognized delusion, Caeneus is a transgender man who’s born a nymph and asks Poseidon to vary his intercourse.
Within the present, Misia Butler’s Caeneus can be transgender and has a extra tragic story. Riddy finds him within the Underworld they usually work collectively.
Ariadne
Ariadne’s fame comes from the story of Theseus. Ariadne is the sister of the Minotaur, a half-human, half-bull creature that Theseus is ordered to slay. Ariadne is in love with Theseus, however he abandons her after she helps him out of the labyrinth during which he kills the beast.
Within the present, Ariadne additionally has a nickname — Ari — and is performed by Leila Farzad.
Dionysus
A fan favourite, Dionysus is the god of wine, vegetation, festivity and madness. He’s Zeus’ son and is usually portrayed as a extra frivolous and partying god.
This picture of Dionysus is true in KAOS, the place Nabhaan Rizwan performs him as a personality who’s desperately in search of the approval of his father and a deeper objective after Hera calls him a “light-weight.”
He finally ends up helping Orpheus along with his mission to the Underworld in hopes of discovering that means in his life there.
Prometheus
Prometheus is a Titan who labored with Zeus to create people. Nonetheless, he went towards Zeus’ needs when he gave people hearth, permitting them to develop at a a lot sooner fee than the god of thunder would have preferred.
As punishment, Zeus exiled Prometheus to a cliff the place he has his liver pecked by an eagle every single day.
Within the present, Prometheus resides the identical story whereas additionally serving because the narrator. He additionally acts as Zeus’ confidant because the god zaps him out and in of his palace as he pleases to ask Prometheus’ recommendation on sure topics.
Hades
One of many large three gods, Hades is the god of the Underworld, overseeing all of the processes occurring there. In lots of tales, he’s portrayed as evil and the god of dying. Hades additionally famously trapped Persephone within the Underworld, marrying her and forcing her to reside with him for six months of the yr.
KAOS portrays Hades as older and extra informal than different variations. Performed by David Thewlis, Hades is drained and overworked, even falling asleep throughout a dialog with Zeus.
Persephone
Persephone is called the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. She is kidnapped by Hades and turns into the queen of the Underworld, pressured to reside with him for six months after which on Earth for the remaining. Her presence dictates the seasons as Demeter brings across the harvest when her daughter is along with her.
Rakie Ayola performs Persephone in KAOS and is instrumental in serving to Hades set up the goings-on of the Underworld.
Poseidon
The final of the three main gods, Poseidon is the god of the ocean and earthquakes. He’s typically seen with a trident and is married to Amphitrite, a sea nymph. He’s additionally Zeus and Hades’ brother, in addition to Hera’s.
In KAOS, Cliff Curtis’ Poseidon is a wealthy god residing on a yacht and is tired of his brother’s considerations.