Billie Piper's "Tormented" Character in Kaos: Creator Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Charlie Covell, the creator of Netflix's darkly comedic reimagining of Greek mythology, "Kaos," has shared exclusive insights into the development of Billie Piper's compelling character, Cassandra. In an interview with RadioTimes.com, Covell revealed the initial conversations with Piper that shaped the portrayal of this "tormented" truth-teller.

Covell explained that the central concept behind Cassandra was that she speaks the truth, but everyone around her dismisses her as mad. "The audience meets her in episode one, and she does seem like she's not quite right in the head," Covell said. "But by episode eight, you realise she's a genuine truth teller."

This journey of discovery, where viewers are initially led to doubt Cassandra's sanity before ultimately recognizing her prophetic abilities, mirrors the journey of the show's protagonist, Riddy (played by Cliff Curtis). Riddy, a modern-day interpretation of the mythical figure Eurydice, gradually forms a connection with Cassandra, leading to a shift in perspective.

Covell emphasised the tragic nature of Cassandra's plight: "She's a prophet, with the gift of foresight, but no one believes her, until Riddy and her connect. So we explored that pain of not being believed," Covell said.

The show's director, Georgi Banks-Davies, also highlighted the importance of Piper's commitment to the role: "Right away, Billie was in it, and that's why Billie is amazing," Banks-Davies said.

Covell further shed light on Jeff Goldblum's approach to his role as Zeus, the king of the gods, in the series. Covell revealed that he envisioned Zeus as a character undergoing a midlife crisis, driven by paranoia and seeking to understand the world he reigns over. "I think that's what I first spoke to Jeff about. He's just an amazing collaborator," Covell said.

"Kaos" presents a refreshingly modern interpretation of classic Greek mythology, aiming for accessibility for a wide audience. Covell explained: "I think the joy about the myths is that they're eternally relevant. You can press pause at any point in human history, and they'll be relevant because they explore timeless themes – love, death, power, abuse of power, dysfunctional families."

"These themes are always relevant. That's why people always come back to them," Covell added.

"Kaos" is now available to stream on Netflix.