Unveiling the Mythology Behind Netflix's "Kaos": A Conversation with Charlie Covell and Jeff Goldblum
0:00:08 Introduction: Host Mara Webster introduces the Netflix series "Kaos" and welcomes creator/showrunner Charlie Covell and actor Jeff Goldblum (Zeus).
0:00:17 The Writing Process: Covell discusses his long-standing fascination with Greek mythology, which began in his childhood and continued through his teenage years, influencing the creation of "Kaos."
0:00:43 Early Stages: The concept for "Kaos" initially started as a series of short plays in 2009, focusing on figures from Greek mythology in a bureaucratic underworld.
0:01:25 Reinterpretation of Myths: Covell expresses his interest in reinterpreting classical myths, drawing inspiration from works like Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad" and Carol Ann Duffy's "The World's Wife."
0:02:15 Transition to Television: After initial plans for immersive theater, Covell pitched "Kaos" as a TV series, centering on Zeus's midlife crisis.
0:02:50 Jeff Goldblum as Zeus: Goldblum discusses embodying Zeus, emphasizing the character's humanity and relatability despite his god status, as envisioned by Covell.
0:03:51 Naturalistic Approach: Goldblum highlights the show's naturalistic and organic style, making the characters accessible and human.
0:04:25 Backstory and Depth: The conversation delves into Zeus's complex backstory, including his troubled relationship with his father and his long marriage to Hera, adding depth to his character.
0:06:30 Power Dynamics: The discussion explores Zeus's relationship with power, highlighting its fragility and the fear of losing it, given his human origins.
0:07:35 Vulnerability Beneath Cruelty: Covell emphasizes Zeus's vulnerability and unease, despite his power and cruelty, making him a more sympathetic character.
0:08:21 Human Desires and Flaws: Goldblum reflects on Zeus's desire for love and connection, juxtaposed with his guilt, secrets, and abusive behavior.
0:09:09 Recurring Dreams: Goldblum shares his recurring dreams about hidden misdeeds, mirroring Zeus's fear of his past actions being discovered.
0:10:29 Collaborative Process: The creative process is described as organic and evolving, with Goldblum and Covell continuously developing the character of Zeus.
0:10:56 The Prophecy: The significance of the prophecy and its multiple interpretations is discussed, emphasizing its role in driving Zeus's actions and fears.
0:12:24 Gradual Revelation: The decision to reveal the shared prophecy among characters later in the series is explained as a way to enhance the narrative impact.
0:13:27 Building Tension: Goldblum's portrayal of Zeus's increasing vulnerability and fragility across episodes is highlighted.
0:14:38 Additional Photography: The decision to add more scenes with Zeus and Prometheus is detailed, driven by the actors' performances and the desire to explore Zeus's backstory further.
0:15:53 Collaborative Environment: The collaborative nature of the production is emphasized, with Goldblum's improvisations influencing the script and character development.
0:17:53 Improvisation and Backstory: Goldblum discusses his use of improvisation to explore character backstories and relationships on set.
0:19:13 Musical Influence: The importance of music in setting the tone and differentiating the worlds of Olympus, the underworld, and Earth is explored.
0:20:09 Writing to Music: Covell explains his use of music during the writing process to quickly access the desired mood and convey the intended tone to collaborators.
0:20:46 Isabella Summers' Score: The collaboration with composer Isabella Summers (Florence and the Machine) is praised for her contribution to the show's unique sound and tone.
0:22:38 Exploring Longevity: The challenges of portraying characters with thousands of years of history and emotional baggage are discussed.
0:25:19 Father-Son Relationship: Zeus's complex relationship with his son, Dionysus, is analyzed, highlighting the tension between their shared human origins and Zeus's fear of his own past.
0:28:17 Challenging Traditional Narratives: Covell discusses his approach to retelling Greek myths, focusing on marginalized perspectives and challenging the established narratives.
0:29:55 Audience Reception: Positive reception from audiences, particularly at the British Museum screening, is shared, validating the reinterpretation of the myths.
0:30:54 Timeless Relevance: The enduring relevance of Greek myths is emphasized, with their exploration of universal human themes making them ripe for reinterpretation.
0:31:17 Joseph Campbell's Influence: Goldblum cites Joseph Campbell's view on the necessity of reinventing myths for contemporary audiences.