Ancient Rome TV drama adds ‘Whitechapel’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ stars

More new cast members have joined Those About to Die.

Based on Daniel Mannix’s 1958 book of the same name, the inspiration for Russell Crowe’s classic 2000 movie Gladiator, the series began filming this spring.

Peacock‘s new historical drama comes from the Oscar-nominated writer of Saving Private Ryan, Robert Rodat, and the producers of The Young Pope.

Set in the early days of the Roman Empire, the show will star Anthony Hopkins as the Emperor of Rome, Vespasian.

Vespasian was a real-life Roman emperor who reigned from 69-79 CE.

Those About to Die is described as “an epic drama set in the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition,” according to Deadline.

Directed and produced by Roland Emmerich (Independence Day), the series is currently in production at Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios in Italy.

HBO’s Rome was previously shot there from 2004 to 2007.

Joining Anthony Hopkins is English actor Rupert Penry-Jones as Marsus, “a wealthy patrician and retired general who desires the throne.”

You’ll recognise Penry Jones from his roles in Persuasion, Whitechapel, Cambridge Spies, and hit BBC spy drama Spooks.

Liraz Charhi (Tehran) is playing Berenice, queen of the conquered Judea’s held captive in Rome, while Johannes Haukur Johannesson (Vikings: Valhalla) plays imposing Norse gladiator Viggo.

Eneko Sagardoy (Elite), Pepe Barroso (45 rpm) and Gonçalo Almeida (Esperança) will appear as the Corsi brothers, with Kyshan Wilson (Viola) as Aura, a female gladiator in training, and Alicia Edogamhe (Summertime) as a slave who is sold to Marsus and Antonia, played by Gabriella Pession (Station 19).

Also in the cast as Welsh actor Iwan Rheon, playing ambitious crime boss Tenax.

Rheon is best known for his role as the terrifying Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones.

The cast also includes Sara Martins from Death in Paradise, and Dimitri Leonidas (The Monuments Men).

Those About to Die will premiere exclusively on Peacock in 2024.

We recently got a sneak peek at Anthony Hopkins’ next movie!

The 85-year-old Silence of the Lambs star is playing famous Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud in Freud’s Last Session.

Gladiator is available to watch on Paramount+ with a free 7-day trial.