Charlie Covell is a talented British writer, actor, and producer who's done well for themselves in TV and film. They're probably best known for their smart take on The End of the F**ing World on Channel 4. They have a natural flair for combining dark humor with heartfelt undertones.
This year, however, their new project, KAOS, which premiered on Netflix, brings Greek mythology into the modern world in a fresh way. Mixing those classics with today's issues has portrayed Covell as a creative force to be reckoned with.
Born in Blackheath, London, Covell's route to acting and writing is diverse and passionate. They've had a career juggling acting gigs and writing projects that all connect. It all led to KAOS, which gives viewers a relatable spin on ancient gods.
Charlie Covell’s journey from acting to writing
Charlie Covell made a startling entrance in acting in 2003, having appeared on Fortysomething with Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch. The role was a springboard to a succession of acting engagements for Charlie in some mainstream shows to air in Britain, namely Midsomer Murders in 2008, Law & Order: UK in 2009, and Peep Show in 2012.
Covell starred in The Inbetweeners in 2010, portraying Sophie. As much as acting was their first love, writing proved a quick knack. It shaped their career more than they imagined. They made their writing debut with Banana in 2015, part of Russell T Davies' anthology series. They also starred in it.
Their work on Banana put tongues in motion and helped Covell step onto bigger projects. The same year, the script for Burn Burn Burn by Covell hit the shelves, making Covell a writer who can pen stories that reach deep and make you think.
Covell got lucky with The End of the F**ing World (2017-2019). It was a two-season series based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel. It got loads of love for the dark humor and spot-on take on teenage struggles. People raved about Charlie Covell's writing for being both daring and deeply emotional.
As they told Screen Daily in 2018,
“I wanted to write something that was honest, even if it was absurd. The characters are real, and that’s what people connect with.”
KAOS is Charlie Covell's bold take on Greek myths
After the success of The End of the F**ing World, Charlie Covell aimed even bigger. Their new project, KAOS, is an eight-part Netflix series combining ancient Greek mythology with contemporary issues.
Drawing from their childhood love of Greek myths, Covell takes KAOS with the gods who are still alive but dealing with the chaos of modern life. Jeff Goldblum portrays a vain and paranoid Zeus, a powerful but seriously flawed god.
In an interview with Netflix Queue in September 2024, Covell mentioned:
“I wanted to show the gods as they might exist today—still powerful but facing the same existential crises that we do.”
The background of the show is almost as interesting as its story. Mount Olympus feels like a cold and distant place, and you are made to believe that Earth is "kinked" in comparison and a retelling of modern-day Crete. Charlie Covell has fun playing off these contrasts to create such a full and vibrant universe.
"The gods want to retreat to their sterile Olympus, but the real action is on Earth," Covell noted.
The Underworld is portrayed as a weird, Kafkaesque office where Hades, played by David Thewlis, is stuck dealing with endless paperwork to manage all the souls.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how myths reflect eternal human struggles,” Covell shared in an interview with Variety in August 2024.
KAOS explores themes like power, corruption, and family issues, similar to the classic tales it draws from. But it does this with Charlie Covell's trademark dark humor and in ties to the contemporary world, bridging the gap between the old and the new.
The real highlight is the cast itself, including:
- Janet McTeer as Hera
- Suzy Eddie Izzard playing one of the three Fates
- Jeff Goldblum as Zeus
- Stephen Dillane as Prometheus
- Aurora Perrineau as Riddy
- Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus
- Killian Scott as Orpheus
- Misia Butler as Caeneus
- Susan Wooldridge as Pious Agatha
- Cliff Curtis as Poseidon
- David Thewlis as Hades
- Leila Farzad as Ari
- Matthew Koon as Zeus Ball Boy #4
- Stanley Townsend as President Minos
- Michelle Greenidge as The Tacita
- Debi Mazar as Medusa
- Selina Jones as Hippolyta II
- Rakie Ayola as Persephone
- Ramon Tikaram as Charon
Charlie Covell's praise doesn't stop for their "embarrassment of riches" cast, especially how Jeff Goldblum brings a fun yet serious aura to his role as Zeus.
If you enjoy Charlie Covell's mix of mythology and modernity, KAOS is now streaming only on Netflix.
