Hello World
Hades & Persephone – David Thewlis and Rakie Ayola
KAOS inverts the usual myth of Hades and Persephone as kidnapper and victim and makes them something approaching #couplegoals. David Thewlis is recognisable to a generation as Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter movies, and to a slightly older generation as the unforgettable Johnny in Mike Leigh’s 1993 film Naked, Knox in The Big Lebowski, and the star of many, many films from War Horse to The Theory of Everything to Wonder Woman, and many, many TV series from The Sandman to Fargo. He’s joined by Welsh actor Rakie Ayola as Persephone, a familiar face on screen with major roles in Holby City, Noughts + Crosses, The Pact, Alex Rider and Grace among others.
Charon – Ramon Tikaram
Charon is the ferryman who transports the dead across the River Acheron in the underworld, and he’s played here by Ramon Tikaram (yes, brother to singer Tanita). Tikaram will forever be etched in the hearts of many as Ferdy from 1990s drama This Life, but has a huge number of acting roles under his belt. Those include parts in football drama Dream Team, BBC soaps EastEnders and Casualty, HBO’s Game of Thrones, BBC One’s Happy Valley, Sky’s Fortitude, The Great, Pennyworth, Brassic and recently Disney+ fantasy Renegade Nell.
Prometheus – Stephen Dillane
Game of Thrones fans will recognise Prometheus – caught above at a moment of eagle-eating-liver pain – as actor Stephen Dillane, aka Stannis Baratheon. Prometheus is the Titan-descendant cursed to this punishment for, in the myths at least, stealing fire and giving it to humanity. He’s also KAOS‘ narrator, a wry voice overseeing the action and introducing the key players. Dillane is well-known for his lead role in The Tunnel, Vigil, Red Election and a great many films including The Hours, Zero Dark Thirty and Darkest Hour.
ALSO STARRING
President Minos & Pas – Stanley Townsend & Shila Omni
Irish actor Stanley Townsend (pictured above) plays KAOS‘ answer to King Minos of Krete alongside Iranian-American actor Shila Omni as his wife Pas (short for Pasiphae). Townsend is a familiar and welcome face from a host of film, television and stage roles including The Shadow Line, 24: Live Another Day, Galavant, The Tunnel, Dangerous Liaisons and The Regime. Omni recently voiced Cinder in Pixar film Elemental, played Nahid in Tehran, and appeared in The Bold Type and Little America.
The Fates: Atropos, Lachy and Clotho – Sam Buttery, Suzy Eddie Izzard and Ché
KAOS‘ three Fates, also known in Greek myth as the Moirai, are a mystical trio responsible for ensuring that destinies are fulfilled. In KAOS, they write each human’s prophecy, are instrumental in the plan to topple the world order and are played by three trans actors. Atropos is played by Sam Buttery, a stage and screen performer (with a hell of a voice it’s a pity we don’t hear her use in this role) seen recently in Wreck, and who also appeared on singing talent show The Voice back in 2012. Lachey (Lachesis in Greek myth) is played by Suzy Eddie Izzard, an actor, stand-up, extreme marathon runner and political activist known for Hannibal, Stay Close and recent horror film Doctor Jekyll. Clotho is played by Ché, a stage performer who recently appeared in the TV adaptation of Never Let Me Go and ITV’s Riches, alongside several theatre roles.
The Furies: Tisi, Alecto & Meg – Donna Banya, Cathy Tyson, Natalie Klamar
The punishment-doling-out Furies Tisiphone, Alecto and Megaera are played by Breathtaking and War of the Worlds‘ Donna Banya (Tisi), Band of Gold, Boiling Point and Criminal Record‘s Cathy Tyson (Alecto), and The Curse, Grantchester and Vera‘s Natalie Klamar (Meg).