Sir Anthony Hopkins leads the Those About To Die cast, as the Emperor who changed the face of Ancient Rome by ordering the building of the Colosseum.
Directed by Hollywood legend Roland Emmerich (Independence Day) the 10-part series is set in 79 AD, an era in which everyone in Roman society enjoyed the thrill of gladiator battles and chariot races.
Yet while gladiators risked their lives in the arena, others also gambled everything they had to pursue power, riches and freedom, in the corrupt world surrounding the games...
Who's who in the Those About To Die cast
Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian
Emperor Vespasian came to power a decade before the start of the series, at the end of a period of civil war known as The Year of Four Emperors, to found the Flavian dynasty. During his reign, he's provided Rome's citizens with a certain amount of stability after years of civil unrest. It was Vespasian who initiated work on the Colosseum – also known as the Flavian Amphitheater — which he gave as a gift to the Roman people after the tumultuous years that preceded his rule.
Where have I seen Anthony Hopkins before? The Welsh star is a Hollywood legend who's won Oscars for his roles in Silence of the Lambs and The Father. His other films include The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad and The Two Popes. In recent years he's also starred in HBO's sci-fi series Westworld and Marvel's Thor movie franchise.
Iwan Rheon as Tenax
Tenax comes from nothing and grew uo on the streets of Rome during a turbulent time in the city's history, but has risen to run the gambling operation for the games. He dreams of climbing even higher by one day owning a chariot racing faction - a right usually reserved for Rome's most noble families. He's tenacious, intelligent, incredibly ambitious and willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
Where have I seen Iwan Rheon before? The Welsh star made his name in Channel 4's supernatural drama Misfits, but is most famous for his portrayal of psychotic villain, Ramsay Bolton, in HBO show Game of Thrones. He's also played Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars in The Dirt and starred alongside Ian McKellan and Kenneth Branagh in comedy series, Vicious.
Sara Martins as Cala
Hailing from Northern Africa, Cala is a Numidian who makes her way to Rome hoping to free her children when they're sold into slavery. A formidable, ruthless, and fiercely intelligent trader, she realises she must maneuver her way through a corrupt and internecine society if she's ever to reunite her family.
Where have I seen Sarah Martin before? The French actress appeared as Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey in Death in Paradise. She has also had roles in British show Father Brown and Prime Video's Citadel.
Tom Hughes as Titus
A successful military leader, Titus is Vespasian’s older son and the apparent heir to the Imperial throne. However, after spending much of his life away from Rome, he's not as comfortable negotiating the world of the senate as his younger brother Domitian.
Where have I seen Tom Hughes before? Tom starred opposite Jenna Coleman as Prince Albert in the ITV drama Victoria and also had roles in British dramas The Game and The English. His films include spy movie Red Joan - in which he starred opposite Judi Dench - and Cemetery Junction.
Jojo Macari as Domitian
The ambitious younger son of Vespasian, Domitian is a viper and rival to Titus for the throne. As the Master of the Games he's responsible for all the goings-on in the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus while keeping order among the four factions who own chariot racing teams.
Where have I seen Jojo Macari before? Jojo's first acting role came in BBC One drama Hard Sun and also starred in series two and three of Netflix hit Sex Education. His other shows include Cursed, The Irregulars and Harlots, in which he played Prince Henry. Most recently, he appeared in Apple TV war epic, Masters of the Air.
Moe Hashim as Kwame
A lion tracker and a fast, adept fighter who's forced to use his skills for entertainment once sold into gladiator training, Kwame makes a connection with Viggo as he begins the battle to free himself and save his sisters.
Where have I seen Moe Hashim before? Moe is most famous for starring alongside Jason Sudeikis and Nick Mohammed in Apple TV's award-winning sitcom Ted Lasso, playing Moe Bumbercatch, a midfielder with AFC Richmond.
Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Viggo
An imposing Norse gladiator and expert at fighting with weapons who befriends Kwame in gladiator training, Viggo dreams of being presented with the wooden sword that symbolises a gladiator's freedom.
Where have I seen Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson before? The Icelandic star has appeared in Game of Thrones, playing Lem Lemoncloak, Vikings: Valhalla, where he played Olaf "the Holy" Haraldsson and Emmy-winning HBO drama Succession, where he took on the role of Oskar Guðjohnsen. He also had a guest role in The Witcher.
Rupert Penry-Jones as Marsus
A member of the patrician class that makes up of Rome's ruling class families, Marsus is a wealthy man who owns a horse and chariot racing faction. Yet the wealthy ex-general often finds himself outmanoeuvred by more skillful operators within Rome's senate.
Where have I see Rupert Penry-Jones before? Penry-Jones' first big role came in espionage drama Spooks and he went on to star in hit British dramas Whitechapel and Silk. He's also had roles in US dramas Black Sails and The Strain.
Gabriella Pession as Antonia
A cunning woman who pulls the strings of her husband Marsus, Antonia realises the only way for a woman to wield power in Rome is through a man. She and Marsus are furious when Emperor Vespasian tells the faction owners that while they own shares in the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum will be owned by the people of Rome.
Where have I seen Gabriella Pession before? The Italian-American has starred in a host of Italian shows, while also appearing in internationally produced crime drama Crossing Lines and US action series Station 19. Her upcoming projects include an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, where she will appear alongside Sam Claflin.
Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus
The preeminent charioteer of the age, Scorpus is willing to join any team if the price is right. He's concerned with money and pleasure more than power, yet proves a useful ally for Tenax in his bid to become a faction owner.
Where have I seen Dimitri Leonidas before? The London-born star has appeared in British dramas such as Riveria and The One, while he's also had roles in US sagas Foundation and Masters of the Air.
Kyshan Wilson as Aura
The Numidian is taken as a slave after she kills a Roman legionary while protecting her younger sister, Jula (Alicia Edogamhe). Their mother Cala follows her two daughters to Rome, where she attempts to buy them out of slavery, however both young women find themselves bought by influential Roman families.
Where have I seen Kyshan Wilson before? Kyshun has appeared in Italian TV shows, Viola come il mare and Sotto il sole di Amalfi.
Lara Wolf as Berenice
The Judean Queen is Titus' partner, yet she's not popular in Rome's most powerful circles. She is faithful to the Emperor's eldest son and tries to convince him that his younger brother is trying to supplant him as heir to the Imperial throne.
Where have I seen Lara Wolf before? She has appeared in a string of TV shows, including Quantico, Roxanna and Hot Air, where she starred opposite Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan.
Eneko Sagardoy as Andria
Andria is the eldest of the Corsi brothers and travels to Rome from the Spanish region of Andalusia to sell horses he claims are faster than any used in the Circus Maximus' chariot races.
Where have I seen Eneko Sagardoy before? The Basque actor made his breakthrough when his performance in 2018 Basque-language film, Giant, earned him the Goya Award for Best New Actor. Since then he has appeared in a number of Spanish films.
Goncalo Almeida as Elia
Elia comes to Rome with his brothers. He's determined to use the money they make from selling their horses to buy a ranch back in Andalusia, yet soon finds himself being dragged into the world of chariot racing.
Where have I seen Goncalo Almeida before? The Portuguese actor has previously appeared in short films, Monte Clérigo and O Filme Feliz:).
Pepe Barroso as Fonsoa
After coming to Rome to sell horses, Fonsoa and his brothers quickly become entrenched in the world of the games with Tenax, as they discover a gift for charioteering.
Where have I seen Pepe Barroso before? Pepe starred opposite Orlando Bloom and David Harbour in 2023 movie Gran Turismo.
It is available to watch on Peacock in the US and Prime Video in the UK
