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Those About to Die takes creative liberties with real history but features historical characters from ancient Rome. The show focuses on the political dynamics of the Flavian dynasty and the struggle for power among family members. Characters like Emperor Vespasian, Domitian Flavianus, Titus Flavianus, Scorpus, Berenice, and Antonia shape the narrative with historical contexts.

Peacock's Those About to Die, based on Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 book of the same name, depends on a certain amount of creative liberties taken with real history but still features several historical characters from ancient Rome. Those About to Die's narrative revolves around the real Flavian dynasty, implying how the actions of the Roman nobles affected the common people through largely fictional characters. While not much is known about specific individuals who would have been Tenax's (Iwan Rheon) or Cala's (Sara Martins) real-life counterparts, the emperor and his sons are documented historical figures.

Some...

This article contains spoilers for Those About To Die.

"Those About To Die" delves into Roman history, including the powerful vestal virgins. Vestal virgins upheld the rites and beliefs of the Roman goddess Vesta. Becoming a vestal virgin was a huge commitment, requiring prepubescent girls from high-born families to serve Vesta and Rome for at least 30 years.

Peacock's sword-and-sandal series, Those About To Die, dives into countless facets of the Roman Empire, including a little-known yet very real group called the vestal virgins. Released in July 2024, Those About To Die is an epic series that sets out to encapsulate the social and political dynamics of Ancient Rome. In particular, the series delves into Roman entertainment, including Those About To Die's charioteers and gladiators. More importantly, it explores these games' dangerous effects while also highlighting lesser-known facts about that period.

Because Those About To Die freely mixes history with fiction,...

Too many characters make for a messy and disjointed story, lacking focus and coherence. The writing is inconsistent and the graphics can be comically bad at times. Despite its flaws, the show can still be entertaining and engaging for viewers.

Those About To Die (2024) is inspired by the 1958 non-fiction novel by Daniel P. Manni, which focuses on Ancient Rome and the era of gladiators and chariot racing. Roland Emmerich's latest project delves into the corrupt politics of these dangerous games and the cast of nefarious characters who stand to gain or lose a lot as the citizens of Rome struggle with poverty. Those About To Die is a grand spectacle bathed in blood, sweat and derivative writing. Anthony Hopkins certainly drew me in, and even if the show was extremely messy and couldn't keep my full attention, I still had fun watching.

Those About To Die (2024)

Cast Moe Hashim,...

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Iwan Rheon plays Tenax and Sara Martins plays Cala in the new historical series, Those About to Die. The actors spoke with MovieWeb's Greg Archer about working with Anthony Hopkins and recreating gladiatorial life in Ancient Rome under Roland Emmerich's direction. All episodes of Those About to Die are streaming on Peacock.

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 mostblood 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.

In Those About to Die, most of the characters were reckless and impulsive, but being a man who could hide his real intentions and go the distance was a rarity. Tenax was one of those people who wanted to be in power, but he knew that he would have to play each and every move very carefully because the chances of falling off the cliff were way too high. I don’t believe that Tenax, from the beginning of Those About to Die, wanted to kill Titus or had any plans to become a kingmaker. He solely wanted to open his own faction, and he knew that he needed someone with authority to give him permission to do so. He had the money, and he had the best chariot driver, i.e., Scorpus, on his side, but still he needed the royal seal and sign.

The character of Tenax isn...

A corrupt Roman underworld surrounds Emperor Vespasian's gladiatorial spectacles in Peacock's Those About To Die. Emperor Vespasian's sons, Titus and Domitian, vie for power with schemes and betrayal as tensions rise in Rome. Characters like gladiator Kwame, trader Cala, and crime boss Tenax navigate power shifts in a bloody finale.

Peacock's new historical drama Those About To Die introduces viewers to the corrupt and violent underworld that surrounded Rome's gladiatorial spectacles during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and his sons. Those About To Die stars an ensemble cast led by Sir Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian, and includes story lines that cover each level of Roman society, from the gladiator and slave trade to the machinations of the highest political powers.

Set in the year 79 Ad, Emperor Vespasian is at the end of his life at the opening of Those About To Die. His sons Titus (Tom Hughes) and Domitian...

Those About to Die stars a talented cast led by Anthony Hopkins, and is an intriguing swords-and-sandals epic set in ancient Rome. The series explores the seedy underworld of crime surrounding the Roman Empire's sports industry, impacting the political dealings of Emperor Vespasian and his sons. The stand-alone historical series is a blend of action and political drama with recognizable faces from Game of Thrones and Ted Lasso, among other noteworthy TV series and movies.

Iconic action director Roland Emmerich is behind Peacock's new swords-and-sandals epic series Those About to Die, which introduces a new host of characters vying for position and wealth in ancient Rome. The stand-alone historical drama is based on Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 book Those About to Die, and is set during the reign of the real Roman Emperor Vespasian circa 79 Ad. The series focuses on the seedy underworld of crime surrounding the Roman Empire's sports industry,...

The Flavian dynasty saw power struggles, brutality, and dramatic twists - a significant era for ancient Rome detailed in the epic. The show offers insight into historical figures like Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, capturing their ambitions, flaws, and fateful decisions. From Nero's chaos to Vespasian's stability, and Titus's reign followed by Domitian's controversial rule, the series delves into Roman history.

Peacock's ancient Roman epic Those About to Die surprisingly gets a lot of the true story and real history of the Flavian dynasty right. Those About to Die, with its mixed Rotten Tomato score, opens in 79 Ad during the last weeks of Emperor Vespasian's (Anthony Hopkins) reign. While things have been largely peaceful for a long time, it's clear tensions are brewing in Rome. The grain shipment from Egypt has been delayed and the people are restless. Vespasian himself is not long for the world and he must choose which of his sons,...

Rome is starving. Early into Those About to Die, as the Roman Empire reels from civil war and rebellion in Judea, running its grain stores scarce, the people’s hunger for food swells into an appetite for revolt. Rome’s rulers turn to entertainment to pacify their citizens, eventually enlisting Tenax (Iwan Rheon), the rare self-made man who’s managed to claw his way toward the city’s elite, to orchestrate arena spectacles for the public. “I grew up in those stinking stands. I know what the mob wants to see,” Tenax tells his crew toward the end of the show’s first season. “Remember: Enough is good. More is better. Too much is perfect.”

Tenax’s directive encapsulates the ethos of Those About to Die, which treats viewers to excess and indulgence befitting ancient Rome. Created by Robert Rodat and based on Daniel P. Mannix’s book of the...

Those About to Die is inspired by a book written by Daniel P. Mannix, and it tells the tale of the Flavian dynasty, the conflicts that came their way, and the internal politics that plagued the regime from within. It makes us privy to the lethal games that the kings organized for the purpose of entertainment and the kind of bloodshed that happened during them. Though the games were said to be for entertainment purposes, society took them very seriously, probably because everybody wanted to be associated with them in some capacity. So, let’s find out what happened in Those About to Die‘s ending and if the sons of Vespasian were able to carry on the legacy of their father.

Spoiler Alert

Were Tenax and Domitian able to win the bet?

Tenax had realized that the only way he could earn money and repay his debt was by...

Episodes viewed: 10 of 10

Streaming on: Prime Video

Ancient Rome is a screenwriter’s dream. Constantly murdering, overthrowing and cheating on each other, they lived as if conscious of supplying plot for future entertainment. This expensively trashy swords-and-sandals effort is stuffed with potential melodrama — often based on fact — but sadly it seems most interested in its dullest elements.

Developed by Robert Rodat, based on Daniel P. Mannix’s book, it’s set in 79 Ad, a time when the Roman empire is looking shaky. To distract from grubby living standards and streets filled with violence, Emperor Vespasian (Anthony Hopkins) entertains his people with chariot-racing and gladiatorial battle. The arena, the Circus Maximus, is also where the city’s most powerful wrestle for control, and betting-shop owner Tenax (Iwan Rheon) manipulates everyone. As Roman society fragments, Vespasian is fretting about which son will succeed him: militarily decorated but cerebrally mediocre Titus (Tom Hughes...

Gianluca Bombardone was a beloved Italian producer and camera operator in the film community. 2.He tragically passed away at just 44 while filming a documentary in Sardinia. His work on "Those About to Die" as a camera and steadicam operator was honored with a dedication.

At the end of Peacock's Those About to Die episode 1, there's a title card dedication to someone named Gianluca Bombardone, and the story behind it is sad. Those About to Die and its cast of characters follow multiple plot lines. One follows Tenax (Iwan Rheon), a master of the criminal underground and businessman bent on bettering his plebian lot in life. Another follows Cala (Sara Martins) and her children, a Nubian family who become enslaved as servants and gladiators. Still another follows the battle of Titus (Tom Hughes) and Domitian (Jojo Macari), two brothers vying for their father's throne.

Those stories all intertwine with smaller subplots,...

The public interest in ancient Rome and its way of life, ranging from the cold, cunning politics to the blood-thirsty sports and entertainment, had greatly piqued after the release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator back in 2000. A grand tale set in the same era has been released on Peacock, as Daniel Mannix’s historical novel Those About to Die, which inspired Scott’s film, is adapted into a ten-part epic series by the same name. Set in the turbulent times of Emperor Vespasian’s final few years, the show presents the many facets of society at the time, including the various ploys that were commonly made out of a sheer thirst for power. While telling a historical epic convincingly is an extremely challenging task, Those About to Die does a solid job in its first season, delivering a rather enjoyable watch, especially for those keeping an interest in history.

Spoiler...

Perched atop the imperial throne in first-century Rome, Emperor Vespasian envisioned a spectacle to satisfy the masses. He would construct an arena for gladiatorial combat and wild beast executions, drawing crowds with the spoils of war—men and beasts alike—forced to fight to the death for entertainment. Led by film icon Anthony Hopkins, Those About to Die brings this blood-soaked world to vivid life.

We’re transported back two thousand years, where social upheaval brews beneath ornate palaces and citizens crave carnage above all else. Not all approve of the Emperor’s plan, however; the city’s elite already control the lucrative sports domain.

Chief among these powerbrokers is Tenax, a clever commoner played by Iwan Rheon who clawed his way to the top of Rome’s gambling circuit. But Tenax’ sights are set higher still, and his schemes place him at odds with those presiding over the old ways.

Set at the height of the Roman Empire, Those About To Die is historical drama series from director Roland Emmerich. Created by Robert Rodat, and inspired by the nonfiction book of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix, the series will immerse viewers into the spectacular, complex, and corrupt world of chariot racing and gladiatorial fights in ancient Rome.

The cast includes multi-award winning cinema legend Sir Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian, Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Tenax, Tom Hughes as Titus Flavianus, Sara Martins as Cala, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Game of Thrones) as Viggo, Jojo Macari (Sex Education) as Domitian, Gabriella Pession (Crossing Lines) as Antonia, Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus, Emilio Sakraya as Xenon, Moe Hashim Kwame, Rupert Penry Jones (Whitechapel) as Marsus.

HeyUGuys chatted to the cast about their experience working on the hotly anticipated series on set in Italy and about how much they all knew about that particular era.

In most promos for Peacock’s new 10-part drama Those About to Die, Anthony Hopkins gazes out like a gnarled marble bust brought partially to life. Even the commercials that acknowledge that the series is perhaps a bit more of an ensemble piece feature the multiple Oscar winner in a badly photoshopped human pyramid, the recognizable pinnacle atop a promotional Eye of Providence.

It is more a service than a spoiler to decry this blatant bait-and-switch. While there may or may not be other reasons to watch Those About to Die, I can clarify: For a small number of episodes, Hopkins is perhaps the 10th or 12th most important part of the ensemble and for the rest of the series he doesn’t even rise to that level.

There is surely a story of some sort that explains or justifies how Hopkins came to be involved in the first place.

Plot: 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.

Review: The recent release of the Gladiator II trailer proves that the spectacle and grandeur of the Roman Empire make for fascinating storytelling. Influenced by epics like Spartacus, Cleopatra, and Ben-Hur, the arenas and gladiatorial combat have rarely been as good as they have been on the big screen. Returning to the book that inspired David Franzoni’s initial script for Ridley Scott’s 2000 Best Picture-winning feature film, Those About To Die takes a deeper dive into the politics and machinations of Rome during the first century.

Those About to Die explores ancient Rome's brutal gladiatorial world through diverse characters and high production value. The series features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Anthony Hopkins and Iwan Rheon, promising a gripping narrative. Premiering on Peacock, this ten-episode series with a budget of $150+ million will drop all episodes for a binge-worthy experience.

Those About to Die's epic story of blood and sport is fast approaching. Adapted from Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 novel of the same name, the series sets out to uncover ancient Rome's brutal business of gladiatorial competition. Co-directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner, Those About to Die will explore this facet of Roman entertainment, which comprises complex notions of sport, politics, and dynasties, through the perspective of characters from all walks of Roman life. The ensemble will feature TV notables, such as Game of Thrones' Iwan Rheon and Vikings: Valhalla's Jhannes Haukur Jhannesson, two-time Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins,...

This article appears in the new issue of Den Of Geek magazine. You can read all of our magazine stories here.

“You see what that is?” Those About to Die writer Robert Rodat asks, angling his Zoom window towards a portrait on the wall of his New Hampshire home. It’s a painting of men in horse-drawn chariots racing across a dusty track.

“Circus Maximus,” Rodat says. “I bought that thing for like five bucks—I can’t even guess how many decades ago—at a yard sale. I’ve had a super-longstanding interest in the late [Roman] Republic. If I told you how many books I’ve read about it, you’d say I’m insane or a liar.”

Peacock gladiator series Those About to Die isn’t exactly about the late Roman Republic but it’s close enough for Rodat’s tastes. Like another swords-and-sandals project of note (Ridley Scott...

Prime Video has debuted the trailer for the historical drama series ‘Those About To Die.’

Panem et Circenses – Bread and Entertainment; Rome in 79 A.D.: The centre of the Roman Empire is the wealthiest city in the world, and there is a heavy influx of slave labourers from the growing empire to take over the work. The Roman population—bored, restless, and increasingly violent—is kept in line mainly by two things: free food and spectacular entertainment, in the form of chariot racing and gladiator fights.

The series delves into the world of the games—a world characterized by bloodlust, greed for money, the pursuit of power, and corruption. The races at Circus Maximus are controlled by four Patrician-owned corporations, the Blue, Red, White, and Green factions, and shares in the four factions are the most valuable things in Rome. As the taste in entertainment of the populace becomes more jaded and bloodthirsty,...

Those who know who Roland Emmerich is will probably know that the director is known for his epic films, a lot of which are also major disaster films. Some of these major titles include Universal Soldier (1992), Stargate (1994), Independence Day (1996) and its sequel Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Godzilla (1998), The Patriot (2000), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 10,000 BC (2008), 2012 (2009), White House Down (2013), Midway (2019), and Moonfall (2022). But, Emmerich is now shifting to television, as his new project is about to be released on Peacock this summer. Ahead of the premiere, a teaser trailer has been released.

The project in question is the epic sword-and-sandal series Those About to Die, which is set in Ancient Rome. The series will be based on the book of the same name by writer and journalist Daniel P. Mannix; interesting enough, the same book served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s epic classic, Gladiator.

The series will star acting legend...

Roland Emmerich is filling out his Colosseum, with a new troop of actors to complete the cast of Those About to Die, a gladiator action series which the Independence Day director has begun shooting in Rome.

Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon, Vikings actor Johannes Haukur Johannesson and Alicia Edogamhe, best-known for Netflix series Summertime, are among the new additions to the ensemble cast, as well as Tehran actress Liraz Charhi, Britain’s Rupert Penry-Jones (Mi-5), Elite actor Eneko Sagardoy, Gonçalo Almeida (Amor Amor), Kyshan Wilson (Viola) and Pepe Barroso (Neill Blomkamp’s upcoming Gran Turismo).

They join two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins headlines the series as Roman emperor Vespasian. Previously-announced cast include Tom Hughes, Sara Martins, Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, and Moe Hashim.

Rheon has been cast as ambitious crime boss, Tenax. He replaces the previously announced Lorenzo Richelmy, who was unable to participate in the series due to scheduling conflicts.