Netflix’s new drama series “Kaos,” set to premiere on August 29, is an audacious reimagining of Greek mythology, blending ancient tales with contemporary sensibilities. The show, created by Charlie Covell, features Jeff Goldblum in a role unlike any other: Zeus, the beleaguered king of the gods. In this iteration, Zeus is not the omnipotent deity of old but an aging, sexually indiscreet, and increasingly paranoid figure struggling to maintain control over his divine domain.
In a recent conversation, Covell shared their insights on the project, noting that the timeless nature of Greek myths was a significant draw. “They’re timeless; the issues are eternal,” Covell explains. “Power, abuse of power, love, death, family, and dysfunctional family—these are themes that resonate across ages and cultures.”
The series, reminiscent of “Succession” in its portrayal of familial power struggles, takes viewers from Zeus’s lavish palace on Mount Olympus to a Kafkaesque Underworld filled with humorless bureaucrats. Between these realms is a modern-day Crete, where gods and mortals coexist in a world that features cars, falafel trucks, and athleisure-clad deities. Zeus sports a tracksuit adorned with lightning bolts, while Poseidon (Cliff Curtis) enjoys a Mediterranean affair with Zeus’s wife, Hera (Janet McTeer).
Covell, known for the acclaimed series “The End of the F**king World,” initially envisioned “Kaos” as an immersive theater piece, but the project evolved into a full-fledged series. “We played with ideas like Clytemnestra navigating a bureaucratic Underworld,” Covell reveals. “I wanted to juxtapose the grandeur of classical mythology with a mundane, absurdist British humor.”
For Goldblum, stepping into the role of Zeus was an opportunity to explore a character that combines the eternal relevance of Greek myths with Covell’s unique vision. “Greek myths address the full spectrum of human experience,” Goldblum notes. “Charlie built a world that’s amazing, moving, and hilarious. It struck me right in my stomach.”
Goldblum, who joined the project in 2022 after Hugh Grant’s departure, relied on his imagination and personal introspection to shape his portrayal of Zeus. “I didn’t look at real-life figures,” he says. “I used my imagination and my heart.”
While “Kaos” takes liberties with traditional mythological elements, Covell’s aim was to make the show accessible and engaging, rather than elitist. “Classics can sometimes feel exclusive,” Covell explains. “I didn’t want the show to be about dropping classical references to make people feel inferior.”
With the first season designed to stand alone but with plans for a potential second season, Covell is already envisioning the future of the series. Goldblum, too, is eager for more. “I’m wildly curious about what comes next,” he says. “Charlie has many things in mind, and it’s fertile ground for future stories.”
As “Kaos” prepares to hit screens, it promises to deliver a fresh and irreverent take on timeless tales, blending the old with the new in a way that’s sure to captivate audiences.
