By Sanj Patel
Photography by Pip // Grooming by Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Daimon Barber // Styling by Nathan Henry, assisted by Stoyan Chuchuranov and Rachel Allison
KAOS transforms ancient Greek stories into something weird, dark, humorous, and resonant – something that any Greek mythology enthusiast would enjoy.
“I didn’t realize there would be a character in this Greek myths TV show with Charlie Covell that I was going to be obsessed with, or even one that I had written multiple adaptations of myself,” Misia Butler recalls over Zoom. “I was so stressed and scared of not getting the role because it felt really fateful.”
Butler is just one of the actors at the helm of KAOS, a mythological dark-comedy television series on Netflix. Despite the actor’s packed schedule (and a surprisingly intense home workout on my end just thirty minutes before) I was able to catch up with the show’s star from his home on a bright Friday afternoon in August.
“It’s such a laced-together and complex weaving of so many things. Because of that, the show is accessible to anybody who doesn’t know anything about Greek myths.”
Butler notes, his expression brightening. “But those who do know will spot Easter eggs and recognise characters. Even after reading the scripts and watching the show, there are still new things that keep popping up and exciting me.”
Guided by the hands of directors Georgi Banks-Davies and Runyararo Mapfumo, the eight-part saga serves as a modern twist on Greek mythology, exploring themes of gender, politics, and power, while featuring performances by Jeff Goldbum, Billie Piper, and Eddie Izzard.
Butler plays Caneus, a “beautifully grounded” character who comes alive through the show’s rich narrative and dialogue. “Charlie [Covell] and I had so many chats about Caneus and how much of myself I wanted to bring to the character,” he explains. “I think they were slightly concerned about how excited I was to film based on the original writing!”
“[The show] is so dry, witty, irreverent, and weird,” he continues. “I think, as a person, I get a bit scared of comedy because I don’t think I’m amazing at it. I remember one of the directors, very early on in the shoot, said to me, ‘You don’t need to make this line funny—the lines are funny; just let it breathe.’ I think that just unlocked something in me. I really let go after that. Luckily, I don’t have too many of the very funny lines—other people handle that and do it amazingly.”
Butler can’t help but sing praises of Banks-Davies, Mapfumo, and writer Charlie Covell—the latter of whom previously penned the Channel 4 comedy-drama The End of the F***ing World. “What Charlie has done with the show is take these stories that have resonated through millennia and made them very much their own.” Butler explains.
I ask, given Butler’s admiration for the team, what it was like working with such an esteemed cast. “I felt really privileged to be working with all these amazing actors that had been doing such incredible jobs before,” he says.
“I remember one specific moment where I was working in the same space as David Thewlis. He just looked at me, and I broke. I was so overwhelmed by the fact that he was acting alongside me.”
But in a sea of similar productions, even with its star-studded cast, what sets KAOS apart? “It’s really unique,” Butler playfully exclaims. “Even after watching it for the third time, it feels like an entirely different world.”
True, the show’s contemporary take, featuring characters in modern clothing, already distinguishes it from many other Greek mythology adaptations. Then there is the storyline itself. “Sometimes, these stories can seem epic and a bit stuffy,” he adds. “But KAOS makes them weird, wacky, truthful, and dark—seeing that as an ancient Greek myth nerd was one of the greatest things.”
With the conversation coming to a close, Butler’s passion for writing comes to the forefront. “I have always loved writing,” he shares, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “It’s something that I’ve always done, probably before I did any plays or theater. I remember trying to write whole novels when I was seven years old.” For him, writing offers more than just creativity. “Sometimes, as an actor, you can feel a little bit at the mercy of other people. With writing, I can just sit in my room and immerse myself in another world without needing someone to say, ‘Go ahead, you can do this.’ It’s something I adore and would love to pursue more as a career.”
Butler pauses thoughtfully before addressing my last question about the challenges of being an actor, carefully choosing his words. “It’s such a chaotic job,” he finally admits.
“One of the biggest challenges is holding your nerve. It’s really hard to know how good you are or how worthy you are of the job.” He leans back, reflecting on the tougher moments. “During periods of big dry spells—which we’ve had a few of over the last few years—it can be really scary and tough to maintain your composure.”
“But having a great network of people to uphold me through that, to bolster my self-confidence, and keep me going is so important. It’s also a reminder that I’m able to do this for the love of it.”
Click here to follow Misia Butler on Instagram.
KAOS is now streaming on Netflix.