How does someone survive Rome’s most cruel spectacle? The new series “Those About To Die” is set among the gladiatorial events and political intrigue that shaped an empire. “Saving Private Ryan” screenwriter Robert Rodat created the project and wrote several episodes. And, of course, it has a big name in it with two-time Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins (“Silence of the Lambs,” “The Father”).
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Blockbuster director Roland Emmerich (“The Day After Tomorrow,” “Independence Day”) helms a portion of the drama’s installments while director Marco Kreuzpaintner takes over for the remaining episodes. Executive producer Emmerich became invested in the material after reading Daniel Mannix’s acclaimed book of the same name. The director also saw connections to the current events shaping society. “So much still seems relevant for our society today – from the entanglement of politics and sports to the disciplines of the competitions, which haven’t changed much either over the last 2000 years,” Emmerich said. “The most electrifying spectacles for the masses still involve two men in an arena, beating each other up, and the chariots of today are called race cars whose drivers still crash and often pay with their lives.”
The series’ official synopsis:
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.
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On top of Anthony Hopkins, “Those About To Die” features an immense cast, including Iwan Rheon (“Game of Thrones”), Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Lara Wolf, Angeliqa Devi, Kyshan Wilson, and Alicia Edogamhe.
A brutal world finds its heroes and villains in “Those About To Die.” All episodes premiere on Peacock on July 18. Get your first look at the trailer below.