Charlie Covell's new series Kaos is now available to stream in full on Netflix, telling a story of mortals rising up against a group of petty, spiteful, uncaring and cruel Greek gods.
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One of the mortals the series focuses on is Caneus, a trans-masculine character from Greek mythology who has a romantic storyline with Aurora Perrineau's Riddy in the show.
Caneus is played in the series by trans actor Misia Butler who, at a recent press event, spoke exclusively to RadioTimes.com about an emotional moment which took place on set.
Butler said of playing Caneus: "It was just incredible. I think I've said this so often throughout filming, throughout this whole run. I mean, as soon as I learnt about this character, I was obsessed. And I learnt about the character in school, so I'm, like, even more obsessed.
"And to just experience such incredible writing that really allows for a character, a trans character, trans-masculine character, to have such character outside of their identity, is really special. I think that it doesn't happen so often, and I feel very blessed for that."
Misia Butler as Caneus in Kaos. Netflix
Butler continued: "I think it was my first day of filming, we were doing this scene, my audition scene, where me and another character on a bench were just chatting for a really long time, and I was so moved. And then afterwards I saw Charlie was really moved too. And we both were just crying and hugging.
"And I was like, I just know that if I was watching this scene as the child that I was, I would feel immeasurably seen, and just have had a much stronger experience, because I would have been represented in such a strong way."
Alongside Butler and Perrineau, the series also stars the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Janet McTeer, David Thewlis, Stephen Dillane and Billie Piper.
The synopsis for the series says: "Zeus has long enjoyed his status as King of The Gods. That is until he wakes up one morning and discovers a wrinkle on his forehead. Neurosis sets in, setting him off on a dangerous, paranoid path. Zeus becomes convinced his fall is coming – and starts to see signs of it everywhere.
"Zeus's once reliable brother, Hades, God of the Underworld, is secretly losing his grip on his dark dominion. There is a backlog of dead waiting to be processed and they are growing restless. Hera (Janet McTeer), Queen of the Gods, exercises dominion on Earth — and over Zeus — in her own unique way.
"But her power and freedom become threatened by Zeus's growing paranoia, and she is forced to act, while Zeus's rebellious son, Dionysus, (Nabhaan Rizwan), is out of control and on course for a cosmic collision with his father.
"On Earth, people are aching for change, however Poseidon (Cliff Curtis), God of Sea, Storms and Earthquakes (and Horses) is more concerned with the size of his super-yacht and where the next party is at. The wellbeing of mere mortals is of little interest to him. Unfortunately for the Gods some of those mortals are beginning to realise this…
"These mortals – Riddy (Aurora Perrineau), Orpheus (Killian Scott), Caneus (Misia Butler) and Ari (Leila Farzad) - come from different walks of life and are all cosmically connected in the battle against Zeus. Each one has a very different role to play, any one of them may be destined to bring down the Gods."
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
