Anthony Hopkins Stars in 'Those About to Die': An Epic Tale of Corruption and Gladiatorial Spectacle in Ancient Rome

Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian in Those About to Die-Premieres on Peacock Thursday, July 18, 2024-(Courtesy of Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

"The telling of history is but a history of war. Not only those fought on battlefields, waged with whispers in palaces, or before the crowds in the arenas. Citizens of Rome, place your bets well. For there are those about to rise, and those... about to die."

- Vespasian, the Emperor of Rome

The ten-episode Peacock drama series 'Those About to Die' explores the dark side of gladiatorial sports in ancient Rome. Based on Daniel Mannix's novel of the same name, later republished in 2001 as 'The Way of the Gladiator,' the series stars Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) as Vespasian, the Emperor of Rome.

'Those About to Die' uncovers the brutal entertainment that captivated the masses, featuring a diverse cast of characters from across the Roman Empire. The show brings to life the intense and bloody intersections of sports, politics, and dynasties. Notably, Mannix also authored 'The Fox and the Hound,' which Disney adapted into an animated film.

-See Teaser trailer Below-

(L to R) Pepe Barroso as Fonsoa, Eneko Sagardoy as Andriain in Those About to Die-Premieres on Peacock Thursday, July 18, 2024-(Courtesy of Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

From the book: "Hail Caesar, we who are about to die salute you! And die the gladiators did. In a vast marble Colosseum larger than Yankee Stadium, the people of Rome, patrician and commoner, flocked to see gladiators mangled beneath the hoofs and wheels of horses and chariots, slaughtered by half-starved wild beasts, and butchered by well-armed and armored professionals. With the Empire in decline, death and torture became the only spectacles that satisfied the decadent Romans' longing. The Emperor Trajan gave one set of games that lasted 122 days; at its end, 11,000 people and 10,000 animals had been killed. The people of Rome loved it-and they wanted more." (Mannix, Daniel P. Those About to Die. Rinehart & Company, 1958: GoodReads)

(L to R): Rupert Penry Jones as Marcus, Gabriella Pession as Antonia in Those About to Die-Premieres on Peacock Thursday, July 18, 2024-(Courtesy of Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

Cast:

Alongside Anthony Hopkins, the star-studded cast includes Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Tenax, Sara Martins (Citadel) as Cala, Tom Hughes (Infinite) as Titus Flavianus, Jojo Macari (Morbius) as Domitian, Moe Hashim (Ted Lasso) as Kwame, Johannes Haukur Johannesson (Vikings: Valhalla) as Viggo, Rupert Penry-Jones (The Batman) as Marsus, Gabriella Pession (Crossing Lines) as Antonia, Dimitri Leonidas (Centurion) as Scorpus, Emilio Sakraya (One Night Off) as Xenon, David Wurawa (Project 2030) as Gavros, Pepe Barroso (Gran Turismo) as Fonsoa, Gonçalo Almeida (Monte Clérigo) as Elia, Eneko Sagardoy (Irati) as Andria, and Romana Maggiora Vergano (Cabrini).

Sara Martins as Cala in Those About to Die-Premieres on Peacock Thursday, July 18, 2024-(Courtesy of Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

Screenwriter Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot) writes and executive produces the series, while Roland Emmerich, known for directing blockbuster films like Independence Day, makes his television directorial debut. Emmerich directs Episodes 1-3 and 9-10, bringing his expertise in large-scale productions to the small screen. All 10, hour-long episodes of Those About to Die will premiere on Peacock Thursday, July 18.

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