Family, Espionage, and Expectations: Louis Landau Breaks Down His Role in Butterfly
Louis Landau is beginning to carve out space in two very different corners of television: one rooted in drama, the other in global espionage. Though, in both, he plays characters navigating pressure, control, and image—worlds where trust is limited and performance carries weight.
More recently in Butterfly, Prime Video’s striking adaptation of the graphic novel, a former U.S. intelligence operative (Daniel Dae Kim) is forced out of hiding in South Korea when the consequences of a past decision come back to haunt him. Across six tightly drawn episodes, the series explores notions of betrayal, family, and survival—underscored by fractured loyalties.
In the series, Landau plays Oliver Barnes, a young operative shaped by that same world. Strategic and ambitious, Oliver is locked in a complicated dynamic with his mother—who also happens to be his superior (played by Piper Perabo). It’s a role that exists in the gray areas, and Landau keeps it sharp without pushing too hard.
In the near future, he’ll also return as Archie Baddingham in season two of Rivals, the glossy, drama-fueled adaptation that resonated with critics and audiences alike last year. As the son of David Tennant’s media mogul Tony Baddingham, Archie already had some standout moments in season one—and when it returns—his role is set to expand by bringing more tension, more fallout, and a deeper look into the family’s tangled legacy.
We caught up with Landau to talk about Butterfly, the next chapter of Rivals, and the kinds of roles he’s drawn to at this stage of his career.
Photographer: David Reiss | Stylist: Holly White | Groomer: Charlie Cullen
What first drew you to the world of Butterfly? Did you read the graphic novel before signing on?
Louis Landau: I tried for weeks leading up to the start of filming to get my hands on the graphic novel, but it was bloody out of print! Luckily, we’ve taken such liberties with the original story that I don’t think reading the comic would’ve been a game-changer. For me, the family dynamics were what drew me in and kept me curious. The characters are like ships in the night, emotionally, constantly missing possible points of connection.
Oliver isn’t necessarily your typical “spy”—what would you say initially stood out to you about the character?
Louis Landau: [Laughs], yes—he’s quite a hopeless spy, isn’t he? Reading the script for the first time, Oliver seemed to cut a tragic figure, and I connected with the desperation he feels trying to be someone he’s not. I spent a lot of my childhood feeling out of place and uncomfortable in my own skin, and it was useful to draw on those experiences playing him.
Photographer: David Reiss | Stylist: Holly White | Groomer: Charlie Cullen
How does your character’s relationship with his mother shape the way he operates in the world?
Louis Landau: Oh, it shapes everything about him! Oliver and his mother Juno are like a tiny blip of matter sucked into the orbit of a colossal black hole. He is endlessly trying to find the right combination of words or actions to escape the influence she has over him and prove ‘I am worthy’. The tragedy of his character is that he’s the only one who doesn’t realise—it’s never going to happen.
How did you prep for a role that blends action with such emotional tension?
Louis Landau: Having not fired a gun before, or even learned to drive yet—sorry Mum—I was incredibly lucky to have a plethora of lovely people on set to badger with questions when it came time to shoot the action sequences. Otherwise, Piper Perabo and I spent endless hours working on our scenes together.
Photographer: David Reiss | Stylist: Holly White | Groomer: Charlie Cullen
What’s something about Butterfly you think will surprise people when they binge it?
Louis Landau: There is so much content out there for people to choose from at the moment, but I hope people stick the show on drawn to the flashy action sequences, and insane bone structure of Daniel Dae Kim’s face, and decide to stay for the unfolding family dynamics, and the incredible wealth of Korean talent in the show. South Korea has such a rich film and television history, but this series is one of the first large US/Korean productions, using an almost entirely Korean crew and a predominantly Korean cast. I can’t praise their work enough.
Archie Baddingham had some standout moments in season one of Rivals. Without spoilers, of course, what can we expect from him in season two?
Louis Landau: Aw, I love Archie, he’s such a laugh to play. In season one, he was pure sexual adventurism, existing in his own peaceful bubble outside the warring rivalries of his father. That continues somewhat through to season two, but this time he somehow finds himself embroiled in the thick of drama and excitement. I can’t say any more for fear of Disney’s all-seeing eye, but safe to say—season two of Rivals is going to be every bit as amazing as the first.
Photographer: David Reiss | Stylist: Holly White | Groomer: Charlie Cullen
You’ve played characters in power-hungry worlds. Are you drawn to that tension, or does it just keep finding you?
Louis Landau: It’s funny, isn’t it? Often, the powers that be have an idea of you that you didn’t see for yourself. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the projects I’ve done so far, and I’d bite someone’s hand off to get another job like Rivals or Butterfly, but somewhere in the future, I’d love to play someone more ‘normal’. Maybe I need to work on how much bratty energy I’m giving out to the world.
Butterfly is available to stream exclusively via Prime Video.
