NEW YORK – Netflix’s drama “Kaos”, which premiered on August 29, offers a modern twist on ancient mythology by placing the Greek gods in contemporary settings. Jeff Goldblum stars as Zeus, portraying the king of the gods as an aging, paranoid ruler struggling to hold onto his power—a depiction that has drawn comparisons to Logan Roy from Succession.

Charlie Covell, the creator of “Kaos” and writer of “The End of the F***ing World”, explains that myths remain relevant because they explore timeless themes like power, abuse of power, love, death, and dysfunctional families. Covell’s vision for “Kaos” merges the grandeur of Greek mythology with the absurdities of modern life, resulting in a darkly comedic series.

The show’s setting spans various realms, including Zeus’ palace on Mount Olympus, a Kafkaesque Underworld, and a contemporary Crete filled with modern-day elements like cars and falafel trucks. Zeus, donning a tracksuit embroidered with lightning bolts, is obsessed with preventing an ancient prophecy that predicts his downfall. Meanwhile, his son Dionysus, played by Nabhaan Rizwan, seeks a greater purpose and his father’s approval. The series also introduces other iconic figures from Greek mythology, such as Medusa, Orpheus, and Ariadne, whose stories intersect in a dramatic climax.

Originally, Covell envisioned a smaller-scale project but expanded it to include the juxtaposition of mythological grandeur with modern-day absurdities—a concept that made Goldblum, known for his blend of humor and gravitas, an ideal choice for Zeus.

Goldblum stepped into the role after Hugh Grant exited due to scheduling conflicts. He was drawn to the timeless nature of Greek myths and Covell’s imaginative world-building, describing the series as both moving and hilarious, with a profound impact.

Covell acknowledges that mythology purists might have mixed reactions to the liberties taken with the source material, but the goal was to make “Kaos” accessible and relatable, avoiding the elitism often associated with classical references.

As “Kaos” begins its run, both Covell and Goldblum are excited for the future. While the first season is a complete narrative, Covell has plans for a second season if Netflix decides to renew the series. Goldblum is equally eager to explore where the story might go next, noting that there is plenty of fertile ground for future episodes.

(Credit: Information in this article appeared in Unilad and Variety.)