Remember HBO’s Rome? This ain’t that. It’s not Starz’ Spartacus, either (or Kubrick’s for that matter), but boy does it look like fun.
When is being released in the UK?
Those About to Die is streaming in the UK exclusively on Amazon Prime Video from July 19. That’s the month named after Julius Caesar, ancient history fans.
Those About to Die: Season 1
What is Those About to Die about?
Gladiators!
Well, chariot racing, actually, but that’s close enough for Senate work. Created by Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan) and based on the non-fiction book of the same title by Daniel P. Mannix (which also inspired Gladiator), the series finds us in Rome circa 79 AD under the reign of Emperor Vespasian (Sir Anthony Hopkins!), a time when chariot racing was the biggest, most prestigious, and certainly the most lucrative game in town.
We follow the intense rivalry between the four dominant racing teams, set against all the lush decadence of the Roman Empire at its apex (or nadir, if you’re a party pooper). This one is directed by big budget B movie auteur Roland Emmerich, a man who is entirely unfamiliar with the phrase “too much”, so expect excess, bread, and circuses.
The cast of Those About to Die
Assuming the former Dr Lecter isn’t enough for you, you can look forward to seeing Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Tenax, Tom Hughes (The English) as Titus Flavianus, Sara Martins (Tell No One) as Cala, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Game of Thrones again) as Viggo, plus Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, as Xenon, Moe Hashim, and Rupert Penry Jones.
Those About to Die trailer
Why we’re excited about Those About to Die
Oh, come on! Et tu, reader? It’s a swords ‘n’ sandals sports drama with Anthony Hopkins in full I, Claudius mode, from the director of Independence Day. How could we not be?
