Netflix has canceled Kaos, the Greek mythology comedy series that premiered in late August, according to Variety.
The show debuted on August 29 and featured Jeff Goldblum as a whimsical and insecure Zeus. Set in a modern-day context, the narrative revolves around Zeus chaining up Prometheus after interfering with his divine rule over humanity. Prometheus then seeks to overthrow Zeus with the help of three humans: Eurydice, Ariadne, and Caeneus. The entire eight-episode series was written by Charlie Covell, known for The End of the F**ing World*.
The cast included notable actors such as Janet McTeer as Hera, Aurora Perrineau as Eurydice, Cliff Curtis as Poseidon, David Thewlis as Hades, and many others.
In her largely negative review, Variety’s TV critic Aramide Tinubu stated that Kaos ultimately fails to engage viewers because the narrative struggles under its own ambition. She noted that several storylines seem disconnected and collide near the season’s anticlimactic conclusion. The gods rarely showcased their powers in exciting ways, leaving viewers questioning why their petty disputes should matter when there are pressing issues on Earth.
Despite spending four weeks in Netflix’s top 10 charts after its release, Kaos did not attract a significant audience. It peaked at number three on the English-language TV chart during its second week, with a maximum viewership of just 5.9 million. Netflix defines a view as total runtime divided by total hours viewed.
Perrineau initially shared the cancellation news in a since-deleted Instagram post. In her message, she expressed her disappointment and reflected on her experience with the show. She described how she felt proud to be part of a project that resonated with her deeply and highlighted the incredible talent involved.
Perrineau wrote about her journey from auditioning to being cast, emphasizing how meaningful it was for someone like her—a minority and survivor—to be seen and given a leading role. She acknowledged the hard work of everyone involved in the production and expressed gratitude for the friendships formed during filming in Spain.
The cancellation of Kaos marks another setback for Netflix as it continues to navigate viewer preferences and content strategies.
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