Those About to Die – Cast, Peacock Details and Season 2 Status

“Those About to Die” is a historical drama television series set in ancient Rome, depicting the brutal spectacle of gladiatorial games and chariot races during Emperor Vespasian’s reign. The ten-episode first season premiered on Peacock in June 2024, featuring an ensemble cast led by Anthony Hopkins in the role of the aging emperor. Created by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich, the series draws inspiration from Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 nonfiction book chronicling Roman entertainment.

The production intertwines arena violence with political maneuvering among Roman factions, following characters ranging from imperial family members to enslaved gladiators and charioteers. While the series has drawn comparisons to other Rome-set dramas for its scope and visual spectacle, critics have noted its deliberate focus on the grim mechanics of mass entertainment.

As of the available information, no Season 2 renewal has been announced, and the series remains exclusive to Peacock in the United States, with no confirmed availability on Netflix.

Those About to Die Cast

The cast brings together established performers and emerging talent to portray figures both historical and fictional within the Roman setting. Anthony Hopkins leads the ensemble as Emperor Vespasian, portraying the aging military leader navigating the complexities of imperial rule while overseeing the games that entertain his empire’s masses.

Among the key supporting cast, Iwan Rheon portrays Tenax, a cunning crime boss who operates Rome’s largest betting tavern and wields considerable influence over the city’s underground wagering on gladiatorial outcomes. Tom Hughes plays Titus Flavius Vespasianus, the emperor’s eldest son and a military general navigating his own ambitions within the imperial family structure.

• Jojo Macari as Domitian Flavianus, the emperor’s youngest son serving as Games Master
• Sara Martins as Cala, a Numidian trader desperately searching for her enslaved children across Rome
• Moe Hashim as Kwame, a hunter forced into gladiatorial combat
• Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Viggo, a Norse warrior competing in the arena
• Gabriella Pession as Antonia Servillia, wife of a Roman consul
• Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus, a top charioteer racing for the Blue Faction

Additional notable cast members include Rupert Penry-Jones as Marsus Servillius, Lara Wolf as Queen Berenice, and Emilio Sakraya as Xenon, a rival charioteer. The production also features physical performers such as Martyn Ford as the gladiator Flamma and Bruno Bilotta as Atticus.

Gladiators and Arena Combat

The series dedicates substantial screen time to the gladiatorial schools and arena combat that formed the backbone of Roman public entertainment. Characters like Kwame and Viggo navigate the brutal hierarchy of fighters, training under instructors while seeking survival and favor with audiences and imperial patrons alike.

Supporting gladiatorial figures include Flamma, a gigantic warrior whose imposing presence dominates the training grounds, and Hermes, a slave belonging to Domitian whose role intertwines with the games’ organization. Ursus represents another gladiator with ties to Tenax’s past, adding personal stakes to the arena’s competitive violence.

Charioteers and Faction Rivalry

The chariot racing sequences introduce another dimension of Roman spectacle, with competing factions represented by colors. The Blue Faction’s top charioteer Scorpus serves as a central figure in these storylines, while rival drivers like Xenon create tension between teams. The racing sequences also follow horse breeders Elia, Andria, and Fonsoa Corsi as they pursue opportunities within this highly structured competitive world.

Where to Watch Those About to Die

“Those About to Die” debuted exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, on June 18, 2024. All ten episodes of the first season became available at launch, allowing subscribers to watch the complete initial run without week-to-week waiting.

For viewers in the United States, Peacock remains the sole streaming home for the series. The platform typically requires a subscription, though it offers both ad-supported and premium tiers. Regional availability may differ for international audiences, and the series has not appeared on Netflix according to confirmed sources.

Comparing Platform Availability

Unlike some series that expand to multiple platforms following initial release, “Those About to Die” has maintained its Peacock exclusivity. The streaming landscape for the show may evolve as licensing agreements change, but no official announcements regarding availability on competing services have been made public.

For those interested in exploring other historical drama series or discovering more background on the production, various resources provide additional context and viewing options.

Those About to Die Season 2

As of the available information, no official renewal for a second season of “Those About to Die” has been announced. The production has not confirmed greenlighting, casting, or production timelines for additional episodes.

The series concluded its ten-episode first season with storylines that could continue in subsequent installments, yet viewers seeking confirmation of future content will find limited official information available. Updates regarding Season 2 would presumably be announced through Peacock’s official channels and the production’s promotional materials.

Story Potential and Character Arcs

The first season establishes multiple narrative threads that could extend into further episodes. Emperor Vespasian’s political challenges, Domitian’s growing influence as Games Master, and the personal journeys of characters like Cala searching for her children leave significant story potential unexplored.

Should the series continue, the power dynamics among Roman factions, the competitive relationships between gladiators and charioteers, and the imperial family’s internal tensions would likely remain central elements of the narrative.

Those About to Die Trailer

Official trailers and promotional materials for the series have been released through Peacock and associated marketing channels. These promotional videos showcase the production’s visual scope, featuring arena combat sequences, chariot races, and glimpses of the ensemble cast portraying their respective characters.

Trailers highlight the series’ focus on spectacle and violence as entertainment, emphasizing the contrast between imperial grandeur and the brutal realities faced by gladiators and other performers. The marketing materials draw connections to the source material’s examination of Roman games as mass entertainment.

Critical Response to Promotional Materials

Pre-release promotional materials established expectations for a visually ambitious production with significant violence and historical recreation. Critics reviewing the trailers noted the series’ willingness to display graphic combat and its focus on the corrupting nature of entertainment culture in ancient Rome.

Those About to Die Season 1

The first season consists of ten episodes, each approximately an hour in length, that collectively trace the early days of Vespasian’s reign and the establishment of various character storylines. The narrative interweaves political intrigue at the imperial level with personal struggles among the working class citizens, gladiators, and chariot racing participants.

Book and Historical Roots

The series draws from Daniel P. Mannix’s nonfiction book “Those About to Die”, published in 1958. Mannix’s work documented the mechanics of Roman games, gladiator training, and the social structure surrounding public entertainment. While the television adaptation creates fictional characters and plotlines, the general framework of spectacle-driven Roman culture remains rooted in historical research.

The series takes creative liberties with its fictional elements, introducing characters and relationships not found in historical records or Mannix’s book. This approach allows dramatic storytelling while maintaining the atmosphere and social dynamics of the historical period.

Season Structure and Storylines

Each episode advances multiple storylines, following Emperor Vespasian’s navigation of political challenges alongside the personal dramas of gladiators training at the Circus Maximus and charioteers competing between racing factions. The narrative structure moves between imperial chambers and the gritty arena environment, establishing the interconnected nature of Roman society.

Critics have noted the series’ focus on the transactional nature of entertainment in ancient Rome, where survival depended on audience favor and political patronage. The first season establishes these dynamics early, using them to drive character development and narrative tension across its ten-episode run.

Key Facts at a Glance

Critical Reception and Commentary

Reviews of “Those About to Die” have highlighted both its visual ambitions and the intensity of its content. Critics have described the series as “disgustingly effective” in its depiction of violence and spectacle, while also examining the thematic weight of entertainment culture in ancient Rome.

“The disgustingly effective Roman epic offers gore and gladiators in equal measure.” — The Guardian

Other reviewers have characterized the series as exploring “the dirty business of entertaining the masses,” emphasizing how the production presents the mechanics of Roman games as both spectacle and social commentary. The Rotten Tomatoes aggregate has documented critic and audience responses, with reviewers noting the production’s willingness to embrace graphic content while building its historical narrative.

Comparisons to other Rome-set dramas appear in critical discussions, with some reviewers drawing parallels to series like “Rome” and “Spartacus” for scope and character complexity. The production’s directorial pedigree, particularly Emmerich’s background in large-scale visual projects, factors into assessments of the series’ production values.

What Remains Confirmed and Uncertain

Summary

“Those About to Die” presents a visually ambitious depiction of ancient Rome’s gladiatorial culture, anchored by Anthony Hopkins’s performance as Emperor Vespasian. The ten-episode first season, available exclusively on Peacock since June 2024, combines arena combat, chariot racing, and political intrigue across storylines involving both historical figures and fictional characters drawn from the series’ source material.

While critical response has acknowledged the production’s scope and intensity, significant questions remain about the series’ future. No Season 2 renewal has been announced, and streaming availability appears limited to Peacock, with no confirmed move to other platforms. Viewers interested in exploring similar content may wish to review Anthony Hopkins performances or other historical dramas available across streaming services.

Frequently Asked Questions