If you’ve spent any time on Netflix lately, you’ve probably been mesmerized by the quiet, soulful presence of Caeneus in KAOS. The actor behind the character, Misia Butler, has this incredible way of stealing scenes from industry heavyweights like Jeff Goldblum and David Thewlis without even raising his voice. Naturally, as with any breakout star who seems to appear out of nowhere, people are hitting Google with one specific question: What is Misia Butler’s birth name?
Honestly, the internet can be a weird place when it comes to privacy. People often go digging for "deadnames" or "original names" of trans actors out of a sort of misguided curiosity. But here’s the thing—if you’re looking for some "secret" name that Misia used before he transitioned, you’re likely going to come up empty-handed. And there's a very good reason for that.
Misia Butler Birth Name: Why You Won’t Find a "Former" Name
Basically, Misia Butler is the name he uses professionally and personally. In the industry, and throughout his public-facing career, he has always been Misia.
For many transgender individuals, especially those who transition young or enter the public eye after their transition, their birth name is essentially a non-entity. It’s not a "hidden" fact as much as it is a piece of irrelevant data. In the case of Misia, he’s been acting since he was a teenager. His first big credit was back in 2016 on the BBC show Casualty, where he was already credited as Misia Butler.
If you’re searching for a different birth name, you’re looking for a version of a person that doesn't really exist in the public record. He hasn't hidden a previous identity; he’s simply lived his life as himself.
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The Journey of a Young Actor in London
Misia grew up in London and was a self-described "mythology nerd" from the jump. You’ve probably heard him mention in interviews how he used to build little theaters in back gardens with his friends. He wasn't some corporate-groomed child star. He was a kid who loved Ovid and Percy Jackson.
Before KAOS made him a household name, he actually went through a specific acting course for trans people run by the charity Gendered Intelligence in collaboration with the Central School of Speech and Drama. This was a pivotal moment. It wasn't just about learning how to hit marks on a stage; it was about finding a space where his identity and his craft could coexist.
He’s mentioned before that seeing Laverne Cox in Orange Is the New Black or following Elliot Page’s journey was huge for him. It gave him a roadmap. By the time he was auditioning for roles in The School for Good and Evil or The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, he was already firmly established as Misia.
What "Misia" Actually Means
It’s a cool name, right? It’s not one you hear every day in the UK. While Misia hasn't done a deep-dive linguistic breakdown of his name in every interview, "Misia" is traditionally a Polish diminutive, often used for names like Michalina.
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However, names are personal. For a trans man, choosing or keeping a name is often about what feels "right" in the soul. Whether it’s a family name or a self-chosen one, it carries the weight of his entire career. From his early days in London theater to playing a literal hero in a Greek myth reimagining, Misia Butler is the only name that matters to his story.
Breaking Down the Caeneus Connection
There’s a bit of irony in everyone searching for Misia Butler’s birth name when you look at the character he plays. In Greek mythology, Caeneus has a famous "origin story" regarding gender.
In the original myths (and in the show), Caeneus wasn't always Caeneus. The myth says he was born as a woman named Caenis. After an encounter with the god Poseidon, he was granted a wish and chose to become an invulnerable man.
The show KAOS handles this with a lot of grace. It doesn't treat his transness as a "plot twist" or a "reveal." It just is. Misia has talked about how empowering it was to play a character who is so settled in his identity. Maybe that’s why the search for a birth name feels so unnecessary—Misia, like Caeneus, is already exactly who he’s supposed to be.
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Career Milestones You Might Have Missed
If you only know him from the Underworld scenes in KAOS, you’ve got some catching up to do. He didn't just fall into the lap of Charlie Covell (the show's creator). He’s been putting in the work for a decade.
- Casualty (2016): He played Robert in one episode. It was his first "real" job after getting an agent.
- Kiss Me First (2018): A Netflix/Channel 4 techno-thriller where he played Jocasta.
- The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022): He played Niall. If you haven't seen this show, go watch it. It was cancelled too soon and it’s brilliant.
- The School for Good and Evil (2022): A brief but fun turn as Tarquin.
He actually had a place at Bristol University to study Classics. He almost went! But the pull of acting was too strong. He "sacked it off," as he put it, to pursue the screen. Looking at where he is now, standing toe-to-toe with Zeus himself, it’s pretty clear he made the right call.
Respecting the Identity
Look, it’s natural to want to know everything about an actor you’ve suddenly started following. But in the world of casting and celebrity, the "birth name" obsession is often a bit of a boundary-crosser for trans performers.
When we talk about Misia Butler, we’re talking about an actor who has spent his entire professional life under that name. He is a London-born, nature-loving, mythology-obsessed man who happened to become one of the most important trans representatives on modern television.
If you’re a fan, the best way to support him isn't by digging for old records. It’s by watching his work, following his upcoming projects (keep an eye out for his name in future film festivals), and appreciating the nuance he brings to queer storytelling.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch his back catalog: If you loved him in KAOS, check out The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself on Netflix to see his range.
- Support Trans Creators: Misia often credits organizations like Gendered Intelligence for his start. Supporting these groups helps more diverse talent reach the screen.
- Focus on the Craft: Instead of searching for "before" photos or names, look into his interviews with The Queer Review or Attitude Magazine where he discusses the technical side of acting and his love for the classics.