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Summary
- A new Roman drama on Peacock,
Those About to Die
starring Anthony Hopkins, explores the world of gladiatorial competition. - The show features a cast that includes Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, and Tom Hughes, set in a corrupt ancient Rome.
- The show is closely tied to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, sharing historical focus and is adapted from the book that inspired the original
Gladiator
draft.
A new trailer for Peacock’s upcoming Roman drama Those About to Die helps ease the wait for viewers eager for Gladiator 2’s violent return to the arena. Set to star Anthony Hopkins as the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the 10-episode historical drama was created by Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat, based on the 1958 book of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix. Directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner, the series is slated to make its streaming debut on July 18, 2024.
During Sundays’ WrestleMania XL, Peacock released their first teaser for Those About to Die, hinting at the show’s bloodthirsty premise. Check it out below:
Featuring Hopkins’ voice-over, the trailer features an array of Roman warriors and gladiatorial combatants brandishing an assortment of ancient weapons. Other cast members set to join Hopkins in the show include Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Sara Martins (Death in Paradise) and Tom Hughes (A Discovery of Witches). Check out the show’s official synopsis below:
Those About To Die
is an epic drama set in the corrupt world of the spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition, exploring a side of ancient Rome never before told — the dirty business of entertaining the masses, giving the mob what they want most…blood and sport. The series introduces an ensemble of characters from all corners of the Roman Empire who collide at the explosive intersection of sports, politics, and dynasties.
Those About to Die Cast |
Characters |
---|---|
Anthony Hopkins |
Emperor Vespasian |
Iwan Rheon |
Tenax |
Sara Martins |
Cala |
Tom Hughes |
Titus Flavianus |
Dimitri Leonidas |
Scorpus |
Jojo Macari |
Domitian Flavianus |
Gabriella Pession |
Antonia |
Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson |
Viggo |
How Peacock’s New Show Connects To Ridley Scott’s Gladiator
The presence of Hopkins’ character, Emperor Vespasian, suggests that Peacock’s show will be set nearly a century before the real Commodus ascended to the Imperial throne.
At first glance, Hopkins’ latest historical drama seems to share much in common with Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning movie Gladiator and its forthcoming sequel. The similarities are immediately apparent, considering both properties examine the role of violent spectacle and its place within Ancient Roman culture and politics. However, Peacock’s new drama holds a far deeper connection to Scott’s movie beyond a shared historical focus.
Mannix’s original book, as well as serving as the inspiration for this latest show, was also the inspiration for the original Gladiator draft first penned by screenwriter David Franzoni. Following the movie’s eventual release and critical success, the book was even republished in 2001 under the alternate title Way of the Gladiator. However, it is important to note that while Franzoni credits Those About to Die with providing him with the inspiration for Gladiator’s depictions of the Roman games, the story of Russell Crowe’s Maximus was inspired, in part, by a real-life Roman wrestler who assassinated Emperor Commodus.
Meanwhile, the presence of Hopkins’ character, Emperor Vespasian, suggests that Peacock’s show will be set nearly a century before the real Commodus ascended to the Imperial throne. Responsible for beginning the construction of the famed Colosseum, the infamous Roman arena that featured so heavily in 2000’s Gladiator was not even finished during his lifetime. Nonetheless, Those About to Die will likely serve to appease fans eagerly awaiting the follow-up to Scott’s iconic gladiatorial movie.
Those About To Die
premieres July 18 on Peacock.
Source: Peacock
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