SPOTLIGHT: Misia Butler

Words - Tajinder Hayer

Photography - Pip

Styling - Nathan Henry

Grooming - Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Daimon Barber

Few shows promise to be as groundbreaking and provocative as Netflix’s KAOS. From the minds behind The End of the F**ing World*, this series takes the timeless tales of Greek mythology and reimagines them with a contemporary twist. At the center of this narrative revolution is Misia Butler, a rising star whose portrayal of Caneus—the first trans hero in history—promises to captivate and challenge audiences worldwide.

For Misia Butler, acting has always been more than just a profession; it’s a calling that began in the most humble of settings. “From a young age I was obsessed with telling stories and playing imaginary games,” Butler recalls. “Honestly, I just kept doing that until I ran out of people to play with.” His passion for storytelling was evident early on, but it wasn’t until he started participating in school plays and drama courses outside of school that his path began to take shape. An audition for Casualty set the wheels in motion, and Butler’s journey from aspiring actor to a star of one of Netflix’s most anticipated series began.

Butler’s approach to acting is deeply personal, shaped by his life experiences and his evolution as an artist. “I think my approach to acting has evolved alongside my approach to life and mental health,” he shares. A self-described control freak, Butler has learned to let go, allowing his performances to emerge organically rather than being meticulously planned. This unlearning process, as he calls it, is about stripping back analytical thoughts and returning to the purity of his child self, who could get lost in stories so easily.

It’s this ability to lose himself in a role that made Butler the perfect choice for Caneus in KAOS. The character, rooted in ancient Greek mythology, undergoes a significant transformation—one that is both literal and symbolic. “Honestly, it feels like Fate (or the Fates…),” Butler says with a smile. “I have been a Greek myth nerd since I can remember, drawn to all these stories like nothing else.” His passion for mythology almost led him to study it at university before he decided to pursue acting instead. So, when the opportunity to play Caneus arose, Butler felt an immediate connection to the role. “He meant so much to me already, but on top of that, having Charlie Covell writing him as a lead ensemble role in a Netflix show? It was a no-brainer.”

Caneus is often referred to as “the world’s first trans hero,” a label that Butler embraces with humility and pride. “I love that other people call him this—I had no idea,” he admits. “It is without a doubt the biggest honor to be trusted with this role.” For Butler, Caneus is more than just a hero; he is a character whose gender identity is just one aspect of his rich, complex humanity. “This myth shows us a badass hero whose gender identity at birth does not define him,” Butler explains, adding that the show expands even further on the nuances of Caneus’s character. “I couldn’t be more blessed to get to perform it.”

KAOS is described as a series that takes everything we know about Greek mythology and turns it on its head. But how exactly does the show achieve this? Butler credits the brilliance of Charlie Covell and the entire creative team. “What they’ve done brilliantly is to take the human heart of these ancient stories and find the contemporary resonances that can draw them out,” he says. By blending original names and titles with modern dialogue and aesthetics, KAOS creates a bridge between the ancient and the modern, allowing viewers to connect with the timeless themes of these myths in new and unexpected ways.

Working on KAOS has been a dream come true for Butler, who was already a fan of Covell’s previous work, The End of the Fing World*. “I remember binge-watching End of the Fing World* when I was on tour in my first-ever professional play and becoming obsessed with the tone and characters,” he recalls. The opportunity to combine his love of Greek mythology with Covell’s unique writing style was too good to pass up. And then there’s the legendary Jeff Goldblum, who plays Zeus, the King of the Gods. “Don’t get me started on Jeff,” Butler laughs. “The man is a legend in himself. And for good reason. I can’t wait for the world to see what he’s done with this iconic character.”

Butler’s portrayal of Caneus is poised to make a significant impact, particularly within the trans community. His hope is that his performance brings a truth to Caneus that resonates with all audiences. “I would love for this story to allow trans viewers to feel seen, represented, even inspired, as I have been by getting to play him,” he says. KAOS engages with themes of power, love, and standing up for what you believe in—messages that Butler believes will resonate strongly with modern audiences.

As for what’s next, Butler is excited about future projects, though he remains tight-lipped about the details. However, he does share his long-term aspirations. “All I can hold onto is my deep aspiration to get to explore many more characters as nuanced and exciting as Caneus,” he says. He dreams of diving into a meaty role in a character-focused drama—perhaps a coming-of-age story that allows him the time to fully explore a character’s complexities.

With KAOS, Misia Butler is not just stepping into the limelight; he’s taking a giant leap into a world where myths and modernity collide, and where his portrayal of Caneus is set to redefine heroism for a new generation. In a series that’s destined to be as stylish as it is subversive, Butler’s performance is sure to leave a lasting impression—one that The Rakish Gent readers won’t want to miss.

KAOS is available on Netflix now.

Follow Misia Butler on Instagram.