Is “KAOS” Based on Mythology? A Who's Who Guide to the Show's Modern-Day Greek Gods and Their Ancient Tales

Netflix's 'KAOS' tells an ancient Greek myth set in the modern-age with Jeff Goldblum as a spiteful Zeus

Move aside Percy Jackson, KAOS is here to satisfy the modern-day Greek mythology adaptation itch.

The first season of the Netflix show was released in August 2024 and features Jeff Goldblum as a paranoid and spiteful Zeus who is 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 a number of mythological characters like Eurydice and Caeneus as they navigate their gods-fearing world.

While not all of the most famous gods and heroes are included in the story, some big names like Hera, Dionysus and Orpheus play a large role in the story.

So what are the myths KAOS is based on? Here's everything to know about the Greek mythology behind the characters.

Zeus

Zeus is arguably the most famous of the Greek gods as the king of them all. His specialties include being the god of thunder and lightning, and he is known for having a testy temperament which can lead to inclement weather for the humans he reigns over as he presides above them in his palace on Mt. Olympus.

Zeus is also famous for fathering a large number of children and his infidelity to his wife, Hera. In the show, Goldblum plays a true-to-myth Zeus, living in a gold-plated palace and frequently brainstorming how to punish humans when they disrespect him. As the story is set in the modern-day, KAOS' Zeus swapped the white Grecian robes for designer-looking outfits, complete with thunderbolt accents.

Hera

Hera is Zeus' wife — and also his sister — and is the queen of the gods, as well as the goddess of fertility and marriage. She is often portrayed as a woman who scorns and brutally punishes Zeus' lovers.

In KAOS, Hera, played by Janet McTeer, takes the punishment one step further and has a proclivity for turning Zeus' mistresses into bees — and spying on people's memories through her tongueless devotees, the tacitas.

Eurydice

Eurydice has a tragic story in mythology: she dies from a poisonous snake bite on her wedding day to Orpheus. She then descends into the Underworld, thus beginning Orpheus' journey of trying to bring her back.

Preferring to be called Riddy, Aurora Perrineau has a different take on Eurydice in KAOS. Unlike the myth, Eurydice is the main character and, unbeknownst to Orpheus, she no longer loves her husband. Riddy is on her way to let him know when she is hit by a car after renouncing the gods. However, she's on a journey to find more than just her fate in the Underworld.

Orpheus

Orpheus in KAOS sticks very close to the mythological story surrounding the Greek hero. In his tale, Orpheus has musical super powers with a lyre gifted to him by Apollo. He journeys into the Underworld to bring back his love, Eurydice, and makes a deal with Hades that he can play her out of there as long as he does not turn around to check if she's behind him. However, he does indeed look and is stuck in the Underworld forever.

In the show, Orpheus (Killian Scott) is just as hopelessly in love with Riddy and is a famous singer. He starts working with Dionysus to try to get Riddy back from the Underworld after he nearly dies trying to join her there himself.

Caeneus

A lesser known myth, Caeneus is a transgender man who is born a nymph and asks Poseidon to change his sex.

In the show, Misia Butler's Caeneus is also transgender and has a more tragic tale. Riddy finds him in the Underworld and they work together.

Ariadne

Ariadne's fame comes from the tale 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, but he abandons her after she helps him out of the labyrinth in which he kills the beast.

In the show, Ariadne also has a nickname — Ari — and is played by Leila Farzad.

Dionysus

A fan favorite, Dionysus is the god of wine, vegetation, festivity and insanity. He is Zeus' son and is often portrayed as a more frivolous and partying god.

This image of Dionysus is true in KAOS, where Nabhaan Rizwan plays him as a character who is desperately seeking the approval of his father and a deeper purpose after Hera calls him a "lightweight."

He ends up assisting Orpheus with his mission to the Underworld in hopes of finding meaning in his life there.

Prometheus

Prometheus is a Titan who worked with Zeus to create humans. However, he went against Zeus' wishes when he gave humans fire, allowing them to develop at a much faster rate than the god of thunder would have liked.

As punishment, Zeus exiled Prometheus to a cliff where he has his liver pecked by an eagle every day.

In the show, Prometheus is living the same tale while also serving as the narrator. He also acts as Zeus' confidant as the god zaps him in and out of his palace as he pleases to ask Prometheus' advice on certain subjects.

Hades

One of the big three gods, Hades is the god of the Underworld, overseeing all the processes going on there. In many tales, he is portrayed as evil and the god of death. Hades also famously trapped Persephone in the Underworld, marrying her and forcing her to live with him for six months of the year.

KAOS portrays Hades as older and more casual than other adaptations. Played by David Thewlis, Hades is tired and overworked, even falling asleep during a conversation with Zeus.

Persephone

Persephone is known as the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. She is kidnapped by Hades and becomes the queen of the Underworld, forced to live with him for six months and then on Earth for the rest. Her presence dictates the seasons as Demeter brings around the harvest when her daughter is with her.

Rakie Ayola plays Persephone in KAOS and is instrumental in helping Hades organize the goings-on of the Underworld.

Poseidon

The last of the three major gods, Poseidon is the god of the ocean and earthquakes. He is often seen with a trident and is married to Amphitrite, a sea nymph. He is also Zeus and Hades' brother, as well as Hera's.

In KAOS, Cliff Curtis' Poseidon is a rich god living on a yacht and is uninterested in his brother's concerns.

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