Those About to Die explained

Those About to Die is an epic historical drama television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner. The Daniel P. Mannix book-adapted-into-TV series premiered on July 18, 2024, on Peacock with all 10 episodes,^[1] and internationally on Amazon Prime Video on July 19, 2024. The series title references the Latin gladiatorial greeting made to the Emperor at the games "Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant (Hail Caesar, those about to die salute you)".^[2]

Plot

In 79 AD, Rome is under the leadership of the elderly Emperor Vespasian, along with his sons, Titus and Domitianus. They are working on building the Colosseum to give to the people of Rome. Elsewhere in the city, a crime boss, Tenax, works to raise enough money to create his own team to race in the Circus Maximus, with the help of famed racer Scorpus. A woman, Cala, goes to Rome to free her daughters, Aura and Jula, from slavery and her son, Kwame, from being a gladiator. After Vespasian dies and Titus is appointed his successor, Domitianus and Tenax work together to retake power.

Cast

Main

• Anthony Hopkins as Vespasian, Emperor of Rome at the end of his life.
• Iwan Rheon as Tenax, an underground crime boss and owner of Rome's largest betting tavern.
• Sara Martins as Cala, a black Numidian trader and Kwame, Aura, and Jula's mother.
• Tom Hughes as Titus Flavianus, a famous general and Vespasian's oldest son and designated successor.
• Jojo Macari as Domitianus Flavianus, Vespasian's youngest son, and Aedile Ludi, who organizes Rome's gladiatorial matches and chariot races.
• Moe Hashim as Kwame, a fighter turned gladiator and Cala's son.
• Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Viggo, a Norse warrior, and Kwame's fellow gladiator.
• Rupert Penry-Jones as Marcus Servillius, a Roman consul, Antonia's husband, and member of the blue faction.
• Gabriella Pession as Antonia Servillia, Marsus's wife and member of the blue faction.
• Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus, a successful and beloved charioteer and Tenax's friend.
• Emilio Sakraya as Xenon, a charioteer and Scorpus' rival.
• David Wurawa as Gavros, an experienced horse trainer and expert in the gladiatorial games.
• Pepe Barroso as Fonsoa, Elia and Andria's brother.
• Gonçalo Almeida as Elia, Fonsoa and Andria's younger brother, who comes to Rome hoping to sell their stallions.
• Eneko Sagardoy as Andria, Elia and Fonsoa's older brother, who dreams of becoming a charioteer.
• Lara Wolf as Berenice, Titus' Judean mistress, recognized as the "Jewish Queen".
• Romana Maggiora Vergano is Salena, Rufus' wife, who has shares in the Blue faction.
• Angeliqa Devi as Caltonia, the head of the Blue faction.

Supporting

• Kyshan Wilson as Aura, Cala's oldest daughter.
• Alicia Edogamhe, as Jula, Cala's youngest daughter, turned Antonia and Marsus' slave.
• Alessandro Bedetti as Hermes, Domitian's slave and lover.
• Martyn Ford as Flamma, a feared and monstrous gladiator.
• Jarreth J. Merz as Dacia, Tenax's henchman.
• Vincent Riotta as Leto, a Roman senator and head of the White faction.
• Michael Bundred as Torel, a Roman senator and head of the Red faction.
• Marco Gambino as Sepulcius, a Roman senator and head of the Green faction.
• Adrian Bouchet as Porto, the Praetorian Prefect under Titus.
• Clelia Zanini as Marcia, Titus' new Roman bride.
• Alice Lamanna as Cornelia, Antonia and Marsus' daughter and a Vestal Virgin of Rome.
• Victor von Schirach as Passus, Domitian's extravagant games master.
• Daniel Stisen as Ursus, a mysterious figure from Tenax's past.
• Christian Hillborg as Noro, Tenax's henchman.
• Davide Tucci as Manilius, a Praetorian Guard who makes deals with Tenax and Domitian.
• Michael Maggi as Rufus, Salena's husband and a gambling addict who gambles away his wife's shares in the Blue faction.
• Thomas Hunt as Lucius, head of a group of pickpockets who work for Domitian.
• Christopher Ward as Tiones, a slave dealer.
• Jonathan Harboe as Tuccian
• Hilal Beraki as Seeno
• Hossein Taheri as Abbas
• Mohammad Bakri as Farid
• Eleonora Gaggero as Iris

Production

It was announced in July 2022 that Peacock had issued a series order for the project, written by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich. The series has a budget of $140 million.^[3]

In January 2023, Anthony Hopkins was cast.^[4] Dimitri Leonidas, Gabriella Pession, Lorenzo Richelmy and Tom Hughes were cast in February, with Marco Kreuzpaintner joining Emmerich as a director.^[5] Production began at Cinecittà in Rome in March with additional casting announced including Iwan Rheon, who was cast to replace Richelmy.^[6]

Reception

The series has a 49% approval rating from 41 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 5.3 out of 10.^[7]

External links

• • Peacock TV

Notes and References

1. Web site: 'Those About To Die' Unveils Premiere Date & Teaser. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. April 7, 2024. April 8, 2024. April 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240408002108/https://deadline.com/2024/04/those-about-to-die-premiere-date-trailer-roland-emmerich-anthony-hopkins-1235877090/. live.
2. Web site: Weiss. Joss. Those About to Die: Everything to Know About Roland Emmerich's Gladiator Series on Peacock. NBC. May 31, 2024.
3. Web site: White. Peter. Roland Emmerich To Direct Gladiatorial Drama Series Those About To Die; Peacock Hands Project Straight-To Series Order. Deadline Hollywood. January 18, 2023. July 26, 2022.
4. Web site: White . Peter . Anthony Hopkins Joins Peacock's Gladiator Drama Series Those About To Die . . January 18, 2023 . January 18, 2023.
5. Web site: Whittock . Jesse . Those About To Die: More Cast Join Anthony Hopkins In Peacock's Gladiator Series . . February 9, 2023 . February 9, 2023.
6. Web site: Whittock . Jesse . Those About To Die: Iwan Rheon Among Nine Cast In Peacock And Roland Emmerich's Gladiator Drama As Shooting Begins . . March 20, 2023 . March 20, 2023.
7. Web site: Those About to Die. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. August 2, 2024.