“Life is of little value in Rome, living in the shadow of the rich and powerful, but all of this is about to change,” warns Hopkins’ Emperor Vaspasian at the opening of the trailer. “Soon I shall cross to the kingdom of darkness, but nothing is more important that protecting our beloved Rome.”
Those About To Die starts on Thursday, July 18 with all ten episodes of the first season of the gladiator epic.
The series is written by Robert Rodat, based on the non-fiction classic of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix. Hopkins plays the role of Emperor Vaspasian during the height of the Roman Empire. Set in the corrupt world of spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition, the epic drama explores a side of ancient Rome never before told - the dirty business of entertaining the masses, giving the crowds what they most desire want...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.
The ensemble cast also includes Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy and Romana Maggiora Vergano.
Those About To Die is produced by Centropolis Entertainment, Hollywood Gang Productions and Street Entertainment. AGC Television is the studio.
Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser and Gianni Nunnari developed the series and brought it to AGC Studios. Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner will each direct five episodes and produce alongside Rodat, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, Miguel A. Palos Jr., Marco Kreuzpaintner, Herbert G. Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz, Oliver Berben, Jonas Bauer, Charles Holland and Namit Malhotra.
You can watch the trailer for Those About To Die below.