Netflix cancels Kaos (and my confidence in the platform) after one season

As a seasoned gamer and a devoted lover of mythology-based shows, I’ve seen my fair share of divine dramas unfold on the small screen. The news about Netflix canceling “Kaos” left me feeling like Prometheus, who was eternally punished for bringing fire to mankind – only this time, it’s the eternal frustration of watching a good show get snuffed out prematurely.

Have you heard the news about a recent TV series? Just a month after its debut on Netflix, they’ve unexpectedly decided to end it and discard it. The show in question is “Kaos,” a modern take on Greek mythology where Zeus (played by Jeff Goldblum) and Hera (Janet McTeer) rule over Greece. However, the humans are supposed to worship them, but in this series, we see what happens when that system breaks down, largely due to suspicion and broken promises from the gods themselves.

According to Variety, Netflix has chosen not to produce a second season of “Kaos”. This series made its debut on the platform on August 29, and the decision was made less than six weeks later. Given the short timeframe for a show like “Kaos” to establish itself, as well as its relatively low promotional push, it’s not surprising that many viewers may not have seen ads or trailers for it. Have you happened to catch any promotion for “Kaos”? I can’t say I have.

The events surrounding the show “Kaos” are unfolding, leaving us with limited details at this time. It’s worth noting that Netflix is known for canceling shows promptly if they fail to meet their rather stringent viewing audience expectations, especially when it comes to genre shows, which often carry higher production costs. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific information about the budget for “Kaos” or Netflix’s expectations for its performance, but it seems likely that it didn’t reach the desired success level.

It’s even more disheartening because the show Kaos, surprisingly, was quite enjoyable. I enjoyed watching the first season immensely. The series ingeniously adapted the concept of modern-day gods from something like American Gods and transposed it to Greece, featuring the Greek pantheon. It interwove myths such as Orpheus and Eurydice’s trip to the underworld and King Minos’ battle with the minotaur. All eight episodes of Kaos were penned by showrunner Charlie Covell, ensuring a cohesive tone from beginning to end that made for effortless viewing. The series boasted an impressive cast; aside from Goldblum and McTeer, Kaos starred Aurora Perrineau as Eurydice, David Thewlis as Hades, Cliff Curtis as Poseidon, Rakie Ayola as Persephone, Killian Scott as Orpheus, Leila Farzad as Ariadne, and Sue Eddie Izzard as one of the Fates. Additionally, Game of Thrones alumnus Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon) played Prometheus, the story’s narrator and chief orchestrator of many series events.

Essentially, “Kaos” was an enjoyable series that offered a contemporary spin on Greek mythology, largely due to its authentic setting in Greece and its skillful blending of traditional roots with modern panache. The acting was exceptional, particularly Goldblum’s performance as a captivating god, who evolved from powerful to increasingly unstable. Unlike some shows that require a second season to find their rhythm, “Kaos” hit the ground running and remained solid from the start.

Why do we even bother watching new Netflix shows?

The popular series “Kaos” has been canceled by Netflix, leaving fans disappointed and questioning their loyalty to the platform due to what seems like an unfair cancellation of well-liked shows.

As a gamer, it feels like a never-ending loop, doesn’t it? Netflix cancels shows prematurely, before they have a chance to build an audience, which leaves viewers frustrated and less likely to check out new Netflix productions. This lack of interest leads to even more cancellations. At some point, this cycle needs to break, and I believe the change has to come from the industry itself rather than us, the viewers.

Although “Kaos” wasn’t exactly a blockbuster hit, I’m confident it was deserving of another season. If the concept piques your curiosity, I strongly suggest giving it a look. However, due to certain circumstances, I find it challenging to wholeheartedly recommend it. The series concluded some primary storylines in its final episode of the first season, but it also hinted at potential developments for a second installment. Regardless, I’m thankful that I took the time to watch it, as I believe I invested my time wisely. It’s just a pity that platforms like Netflix don’t seem to appreciate the time their viewers invest in their series as much as I do.

The first and only season of Kaos is still available to stream on Netflix.

2024-10-08 19:41