IsKAOSBased on Mythology? A Who's Who Guide to the Show's Modern-Day Greek Gods and Their Ancient Tales

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeff Goldblum as Zeus in ‘Kaos’.Photo:Justin Downing/Netflix

Justin Downing/Netflix

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 mythsKAOSis based on? Here’s everything to know about the Greek mythology behind the characters.

01of 11ZeusJeff Goldblum as Zeus in ‘Kaos’.NetflixZeus 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.

01of 11

Zeus

Jeff Goldblum as Zeus in ‘Kaos’.Netflix

Netflix

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.

02of 11

Hera

Janet McTeer as Hera in ‘Kaos’.Justin Downing/Netlfix

Justin Downing/Netlfix

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.

03of 11

Eurydice

Aurora Perrineau as Riddy in ‘Kaos’.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

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.

04of 11

Orpheus

Killian Scott as Orpheus in ‘Kaos’.Netflix

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.

05of 11CaeneusMisia Butler as Caeneus in ‘Kaos’.Justin Downing/NetflixA 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.

05of 11

Caeneus

Misia Butler as Caeneus in ‘Kaos’.Justin Downing/Netflix

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.

06of 11

Ariadne

Leila Farzad as Ari in ‘Kaos’.Courtesy of Netflix

07of 11DionysusNabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus in ‘Kaos’.NetflixA 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 inKAOS, 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.

07of 11

Dionysus

Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus in ‘Kaos’.Netflix

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 inKAOS, 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.

08of 11

Prometheus

Stephen Dillane as Prometheus in ‘Kaos’.Courtesy of Netflix

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.

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.

09of 11

Hades

David Thewlis as Hades in ‘Kaos’.Justin Downing/Netflix

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.

10of 11

Persephone

Rakie Ayola as Persephone in ‘Kaos’.Justin Downing/Netflix

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

11of 11PoseidonCliff Curtis as Poseidon in ‘Kaos’.NetflixThe 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.InKAOS, Cliff Curtis' Poseidon is a rich god living on a yacht and is uninterested in his brother’s concerns.

11of 11

Poseidon

Cliff Curtis as Poseidon in ‘Kaos’.Netflix

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.

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

source: people.com