Hit Netflix series Kaos starring Jeff Goldblum cancelled after just one season

A hit Netflix show that drew in 14.9 million total views and had fans calling for a second season has been abruptly cancelled by the streaming giant.

A hit Netflix show that drew in 14.9 million total views and had fans calling for a second season has been cancelled by the streaming giant.

The British dark comedy Kaos, which stars Jeff Goldblum in the lead role, was abruptly axed this week, less than three months after its successful debut on the streamer.

According to Forbes, Kaos ranked number 3 on Netflix’s English-language TV chart, accruing 22.8 million hours or 3.4 million views in its first week alone. Overall, the show accumulated approximately 98.9 million hours viewed, which equates to 14.9 million total views.

No reason was given by Netflix as to why the series was canned.

Jeff Goldblum stars as the almighty Zeus in the Netflix series Kaos. Picture: Netflix

The series is a clever re-imagining of Greek mythology that explores themes of gender politics and power in the underworld. Goldblum stars as the almighty Zeus, who begins to fear his reign is ending after spotting a wrinkle on his forehead, making him paranoid that his devotees want the top job.

The series also stars Janet McTeer as Hera, Stephen Dillane as Prometheus, New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis as Poseidon and Debi Mazar as Medusa. The show also features Suzy Izzard, Killian Scott and pop star Billie Piper.

Stream Kaos on Netflix, available on Hubbl.

Janet McTeer also stars as Hera. Picture: Netflix

The show’s final episode was left open-ended with several storylines unresolved as the idea was for the series to run over three seasons, creator Charlie Covell – who identifies as non-binary – explained last month.

“My dream was three seasons. I’ve got many ideas and a strong sense of what I’d want to do with it,” Covell told Cosmopolitan UK, adding that Netflix has “been very supportive” of the show.

“There’s definitely more. I also didn’t want to do an ending that was a total cliffhanger. I hope that it feels satisfying as a season one in its own right, and there’s always hope for the more. Because I really would love to do more.”

New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis plays Poseidon in the series. Picture: Netflix

Pop star Billie Piper also stars. Picture: Netflix

Debi Mazar transforms into Medusa. Picture: Netflix

Aurora Perrineau – who played Eurydice aka Riddy, the passive wife of Orpheus (Killian Scott) on the series – confirmed the cancellation in a now-deleted Instagram post.

“Well… this one hurts. I find explaining how I’m feeling to be really difficult, but I’ll try,” she began her lengthy post.

“When I started auditioning for this show, I knew it was special, mainly due to the fact that Charlie Covell’s scripts resonated with me in a way most things hadn’t. I knew all of these people, and I loved them all – every flaw, everything.”

Perrineau added that she was “really proud” of herself and the cast and crew, saying “every single person involved was a heavy hitter”.

“Everyone was brilliant and uniquely themselves. Every performance surprised and excited me,” she concluded. “I can’t believe I got to do this with all of you. We made something weird, dark, hilarious, deranged and absolutely tragic – something entirely human. THIS is a feeling I plan to take with me.”

Aurora Perrineau plays Eurydice aka Riddy, the wife of Orpheus. Picture: Netflix

Fans were also in uproar online, with many wondering why the streamer bothered investing in a series only for it to be axed.

“Netflix cancelling KAOS not long after its premiere is extremely disappointing. Why waste time watching something (which was amazing, btw) only for it to get canned before it even has time to grow an audience?” tweeted one fan.

“Netflix needs to pick their sh*t up and stop cancelling shows that are doing well. Kaos was a fantastic show, and quite honestly one of the better Netflix originals that I have seen in a long time. This is a terrible method of keeping watchers interested in your sh***y service,” another wrote.

“You cancelled Kaos already?!? Awesome show and you killed it already? Shame! Shame!” yet another wrote, while one commented, “@netflix didn’t deserve you #Kaos. It would be great if another network could give it a chance.”