 series stars Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung, Reina Hardesty as Rebecca & Louis Landau as Oliver in Amazon Prime Video's gripping spy thriller.){kind=link}
Co-created by Ken Woodruff and Steph Cha.
Butterfly premiered on August 13, 2025.
Distributed exclusively by Amazon Prime Video.
Series Review
Butterfly delivers a sleek, emotionally charged spy thriller anchored by Daniel Dae Kim and Reina Hardesty.
The series follows David Jung, a retired intelligence operative, whose hidden past collides with his daughter Rebecca when she is sent to kill him.
Kim grounds the show with quiet gravitas and convincing stunt work while Hardesty matches him with fierce, conflicted intensity.
Visually the series shines, moving between Seoul’s neon streets and quieter family interiors, and the cinematography gives action scenes weight.
Pacing sags occasionally and some plot beats rely on familiar spy tropes, yet the father-daughter core keeps the drama honest.
Supporting turns add texture and the cultural blend of American and Korean elements gives the show fresh energy.
Butterfly may not reinvent espionage television, but its emotional focus and solid performances make it a rewarding binge.
Fans of character-driven thrillers will find much to enjoy and will hope for a second season.
Ratings
• IMDb: 6.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
• Google Audience Score: 70% liked this TV show.
Butterfly (2025) Actors
Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung
DOB: August 4, 1968.
Bio: American actor and producer renowned for his roles in Lost and Hawaii Five-0.
As the founder of the production company 3AD, Kim has been instrumental in bringing diverse stories to the screen.
He also serves as an executive producer on Butterfly, a Prime Video series that marks a significant milestone in his career.
Role: David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative who faked his death and is forced back into action when his past collides with a secretive agency.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: A grounded lead performance that mixes quiet paternal instincts with action-ready determination; Kim does many of his own stunts and anchors the show’s emotional core.
Favorite Things: Kim has spoken publicly about family, theatre and doing his own stunts; he often cites fatherhood as an influence on how he approaches emotional scenes.
Notable Works: Lost, Hawaii Five-0, Hellboy, stage work including Yellow Face.
Reina Hardesty as Rebecca
DOB: January 4, 1996.
Bio: An American actress and trained dancer of Japanese descent, born in Foothill Ranch, California.
She began her acting career with appearances in short films and television series, gradually building a diverse portfolio.
Hardesty gained recognition for her role as Weather Witch (Joslyn Jackam) in The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
Role: Rebecca, the young assassin sent to find and kill David Jung whose loyalties and past are central to the series’ tension.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: A physical, urgent performance, equal parts lethal and emotionally fractured as Rebecca wrestles with orders and family ties.
Favorite Things: Public interviews are limited; she’s spoken about her training background and how physical discipline informs her acting.
Notable Works: The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, StartUp, Brockmire, Greenhouse Academy.
Louis Landau as Oliver
DOB: N/A.
Bio: British actor and Guildhall School of Music & Drama graduate known for his nuanced portrayals of complex characters.
He has appeared in notable productions such as The Serpent Queen and Rivals and has been recognized for his work in the stage production Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Role: Oliver Barnes, the son of Juno, a key figure in the series’ shadowy networks whose choices complicate David Jung’s attempts to stay hidden.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: Polished, layered work, a character who slips between charm and menace as the plot tightens.
Favorite Things: Landau has spoken about his passion for photography and his approach to acting.
Notable Works: The Serpent Queen, Rivals, Wolf King.
Piper Perabo as Juno
DOB: October 31, 1976.
Bio: American actress known for her versatility in film and television.
She first gained fame in the indie hit Coyote Ugly and later starred in the TV series Covert Affairs, showcasing her blend of toughness, intelligence, and emotional range.
With a career spanning over two decades, Perabo has become known for portraying strong, layered characters in both action-driven and dramatic roles.
Role: Juno, a ruthless operative within the secretive agency pursuing David Jung. Her presence complicates alliances and elevates the stakes, balancing calculated strategy with occasional personal vulnerability.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: A hard-edged, take-no-prisoners performance that can switch quickly to personal vulnerability.
Favorite Things: Perabo has discussed activism, family and balancing indie and studio work in interviews.
Notable Works: Coyote Ugly, Covert Affairs, The Prestige, Cheaper by the Dozen, and numerous film and TV roles.
Kim Tae-hee as Eunju Kim
DOB: March 29, 1980.
Bio: South Korean actress widely regarded for her beauty, talent, and versatility.
She gained prominence through the drama Stairway to Heaven and has since starred in hits such as My Princess and Yong-pal, earning critical praise for her dramatic range and on-screen presence.
Role: Eunju Kim, David Jung’s wife (or the family figure closely tied to Jung) whose fate becomes a key emotional driver for the plot.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: Measured emotional beats that humanize the spy story; a performance built on small, telling moments.
Favorite Things: Kim maintains a private personal life but has mentioned prioritizing family and balancing career with motherhood in interviews.
Notable Works: Stairway to Heaven, My Princess, Yong-pal, Hi Bye, Mama!, and numerous high-profile Korean dramas and endorsements.
Park Hae-soo as Yong Shik Choi
DOB: November 21, 1981.
Bio: South Korean actor internationally recognized for his roles in Squid Game and Prison Playbook.
Known for his versatility, Park excels at portraying morally complex and emotionally layered characters, seamlessly moving between quiet restraint and explosive intensity.
Role: Yong Shik Choi, a pivotal figure in the Korean side of the story whose shifting loyalties and hidden motives significantly impact the plot.
Episodes: Season 1 (2 episodes).
What to Expect: A performance that can go from quiet restraint to explosive action; Park’s work often reveals layered motives.
Favorite Things: Park values authentic performances and frequently discusses his dedication to craft and selecting roles that challenge him artistically.
Notable Works: Squid Game, Prison Playbook, Time to Hunt.
Sung Dong-il as Doo Tae Kim
DOB: April 27, 1964.
Bio: A veteran South Korean actor with a career spanning decades in film, television, and theater.
Renowned for his versatility, Sung excels at both comedic and dramatic roles, frequently portraying fatherly or everyman characters with warmth and depth.
Role: Doo Tae Kim, an elder family figure whose past and connections complicate the central mystery, adding weight to both family and criminal storylines.
Episodes: Season 1 (2 episodes).
What to Expect: Naturalistic, scene-stealing moments that ground the series’ family drama.
Favorite Things: Sung often emphasizes the importance of ensemble work and collaboration, drawing on his extensive experience in television and stage productions.
Notable Works: Take Off, Reply 1988, Reply 1994.
Kim Ji-hoon as Gun
DOB: May 9, 1981.
Bio: South Korean actor known for his consistent work in television and film.
He often appears in supporting but pivotal roles, particularly in thrillers and family dramas, bringing reliability, depth, and nuance to every character he portrays.
Role: Gun, an operative tied to the agency’s covert network, whose actions and decisions influence the unfolding intelligence operations and central plot.
Episodes: Season 1 (5 episodes).
What to Expect: Precise, professional work that helps build the series’ procedural backbone.
Favorite Things: Public personal details limited; interviews focus on craft and role choices.
Notable Works: Korean TV dramas and supporting film roles across the 2010s and 2020s.
Nayoon Kim as Minhee Jung
DOB: N/A
Bio: A young South Korean actress emerging in television and film.
She is recognized for bringing vulnerability, emotional depth, and subtlety to her roles, making her performances feel grounded and relatable.
Role: Minhee Jung, David Jung’s daughter (or close family member), whose story intersects with Rebecca’s arc and provides critical emotional stakes to the series.
Episodes: Season 1 (5 episodes).
What to Expect: A heartfelt, human performance that provides the emotional throughline for the spy action.
Favorite Things: Not much public personal detail; she is an emerging performer to watch.
Notable Works: Recent TV work and supporting roles leading to this major franchise credit.
Seoyeon Jang as Moon
DOB: N/A.
Bio: South Korean actress with experience in television and supporting film roles.
She brings authenticity and presence to each performance, often enhancing the realism of ensemble casts.
Role: Moon, a supporting but pivotal character in the family and local subplots, whose actions help enrich the series’ South Korean narrative threads.
Episodes: Season 1 (5 episodes).
What to Expect: Strong, naturalistic supporting work that deepens the world-building and adds texture to the series’ ensemble.
Favorite Things: Limited public personal details.
Notable Works: Korean TV and supporting roles; Butterfly is a major credit.
Charles Parnell as Senator George Dawson
DOB: October 26, 1964.
Bio: American character actor known for his commanding presence and authoritative roles in film, television, and theater.
With a career spanning decades, Parnell often portrays figures of leadership or power, bringing gravitas and nuance to supporting and recurring parts.
Role: Senator George Dawson, a powerful U.S. political figure whose decisions and agenda intersect with the series’ global intelligence conflicts, influencing the stakes for David Jung and other key characters.
Episodes: Season 1 (5 episodes).
What to Expect: Gravitas and the kind of no-nonsense presence that lends political weight to the thriller.
Favorite Things: Parnell keeps public life private but is well regarded for stage and screen discipline.
Notable Works: Top Gun: Maverick, The Last Ship, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Sean Dulake as Hollis
DOB: June 9, 1984.
Bio: An American actor and producer with extensive experience working in both South Korea and the United States.
Fluent in Korean and English, he is known for his versatility in cross-cultural roles and his ability to bring charm, grit, and authenticity to supporting characters.
Role: Hollis, an American-based operator with ties to the story’s western intelligence players and a bridge between Seoul and the U.S. side of the plot.
Episodes: Season 1 (6 episodes).
What to Expect: Polished, bilingual performance that helps sell the series’ international scope.
Favorite Things: Dulake frequently discusses his Korean heritage, cross-cultural acting experiences, and the creative fulfillment of working in multiple entertainment industries.
Notable Works: Dramaworld, Korean films and TV projects, and recent international co-prods.
More Actors
• Lee Il-hwa as Young Sil Kim.
• Gina Theresa Williamson as Vicky Linwood.
• Henry Ian Cusick as Nick Barnes.
• Josh Plasse as Atwood.
• Luis Carazo as Manny.
• Kim Min-kyu as Yaeyoung.
• Sung Jun as Sanghoon.
• Lee Il-hwa as (listed above) Young Sil Kim.
FAQ – Butterfly (2025) Series
How many episodes are there, and how long is each one?
Season 1 consists of six episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long.
Where was Butterfly filmed?
The series was predominantly shot in South Korea, including locations across Seoul, Busan, and Andong.
Why did the Season 1 finale end on a cliffhanger?
The finale ends with David discovering his wife Eunju stabbed and Rebecca missing, raising questions about Rebecca’s loyalty and what happens next.
The open-ended finish builds momentum for a potential Season 2.
Is Butterfly based on a comic or graphic novel?
Yes, It’s adapted from the Boom! Studios graphic novel by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett.
The series was co-created by Ken Woodruff and Steph Cha, with Daniel Dae Kim also serving as an executive producer.
Where can I watch Butterfly (2025)?
Butterfly is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Conclusion
Butterfly (2025) strikes a fine balance between high-stakes espionage and deeply personal storytelling.
What sets it apart from other spy dramas is the raw emotional tension between father and daughter, which keeps viewers invested beyond the action and twists.
Daniel Dae Kim delivers one of his most compelling performances to date, while Reina Hardesty brings emotional firepower to a role that could have easily felt one-note.
With slick visuals, intense fight choreography, and a thoughtful exploration of family loyalty versus duty, Butterfly stands as a refreshing entry in the spy thriller genre.
While it leans on some familiar tropes, its cultural blend and heart at the center make it memorable.
For fans of shows that combine suspense with family drama, Butterfly is a must-watch and leaves just enough unanswered questions to spark hope for a gripping second season.