Butterfly: Everything You Need to Know About Daniel Dae Kim’s New Spy Thriller Series

If you’re craving a tense, stylish spy thriller with layered family drama, Daniel Dae Kim’s new series Butterfly is about to become your next binge obsession. With August 13, 2025, marked as its worldwide debut on Prime Video, Butterfly blends international espionage with emotional depth, all set against a striking South Korean backdrop. Here’s everything we know so far about Butterfly, starring and executive produced by Daniel Dae Kim himself.

What Is Butterfly About? Plot, Themes, and What to Expect

Butterfly follows David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative living in South Korea whose life spirals out of control when choices from his mysterious past surface. Now on the run, David is relentlessly pursued by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a deadly and sociopathic young agent assigned to eliminate him. But there’s more than just espionage at stake—the series digs deep into complex family ties, especially as David reconnects with his daughter, who thought he was dead. Their reunion sets off a high-stakes chase involving Caddis, a sinister spy network with dangerous ambitions.

This character-driven spy drama packs emotional punches alongside thrilling action sequences—expect a careful balance of tense mission scenes and intimate family moments. Based on the graphic novel series created by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett and adapted for TV by Ken Woodruff and novelist Steph Cha, Butterfly aims to fuse American and Korean storytelling traditions seamlessly.

Who’s in the Cast of Butterfly? Daniel Dae Kim and Star-Studded Ensemble

Of course, the spotlight shines brightest on Daniel Dae Kim, who also serves as executive producer through his production company 3AD. Alongside Kim, the Butterfly cast boasts:

• Reina Hardesty as Rebecca, the cold and lethal agent on David’s trail.

• Piper Perabo in a key role as Juno, who leads a private intelligence operation.

• Louis Landau, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, and Kim Tae-hee add weight with significant supporting roles.

• Charles Parnell, Sean Dulake, and Nayoon Kim round out the core cast, while guests include notable South Korean actors Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa.

• Exciting newcomer Joanna Lumley has been mentioned in connection to the series as well, amplifying star power and adding intrigue.

Together, this global ensemble bridges cultures and accents, making Butterfly a fresh addition to the international spy thriller genre.

 

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Where and When Can You Watch Butterfly? Streaming Details and More

• Release Date: Butterfly premieres all six episodes on August 13, 2025.

• Where to Watch: Exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, included with Prime membership.

• How to Watch: Stream it worldwide on the Prime Video app or website.

Amazon also offers discounted Prime memberships for young adults and students, making it easier to catch Butterfly on launch day.

Quick FAQs for the Curious

• How many episodes of Butterfly are there? Six fast-paced episodes in one season.

• Is Butterfly based on a book or original? Based on the graphic novel by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett.

• Is Daniel Dae Kim only acting or also producing? He’s starring and also executive producing.

• Is Butterfly set in Korea or the US? The story unfolds primarily in South Korea, blending East Asian noir with Western espionage styles.

• What’s unique about Butterfly compared to other spy shows? It balances brutal espionage with heartfelt father-daughter drama and a cross-cultural production team.

Final Thoughts: Why Butterfly Is A Must-Watch This August

Butterfly doesn’t just promise thrilling spy action; it’s also a heartfelt, stylistic fusion of two rich cultures told through a sophisticated narrative lens. Daniel Dae Kim’s passion project showcases top-tier writing, directing (with Kitao Sakurai leading the first two episodes), and performances that make it a standout in 2025’s streaming line-up.

If you like your thrillers smart, emotional, and edge-of-your-seat tense—with a fresh international flavor—Butterfly is the series to mark on your calendar this August. Whether you’re a Daniel Dae Kim fan or new to the world of espionage drama, prepare for a captivating ride.

Ready to dive in? Butterfly premieres August 13, 2025, only on Prime Video. Don’t miss out on one of the most talked-about new spy thrillers of the year!