New Photos: Emmerich’s “Those About To Die”

By
Garth Franklin
-
Peacock

Following last month’s brief concept teaser, the first official photos are out for “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow” director Roland Emmerich’s new gladiator epic TV series “Those About To Die”.

Based on Daniel P. Mannix’s nonfiction classic of the same name, Anthony Hopkins leads the cast as Roman Emperor Vespasian during the Flavian dynasty of the Roman Empire.

The story deals with the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition as those in charge seek to entertain the masses.

The ensemble of characters covers all corners of the Roman Empire who collide at this explosive intersection of sports, politics and dynasties.

The cast also includes Tom Hughes, Iwan Rheon, Jojo Macari, Liraz Charhi, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Emilio Sakraya, Eneko Sagardoy, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson, Alicia Edogamhe, Sara Martins, David Wurawa, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Romana Maggiora Vergano and Moe Hashim

Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner direct the series which has been written by Oscar nominee Robert Rodat. Emmerich, Gianni Nunnari and Harald Kloser executive produce alongside numerous others.

Rodat spoke with EW and says the series has strived for accuracy:

“We know a fair amount of what happened to the Flavians, so we adhered as closely as we could to the historical record for those characters, not only in terms of what they did, but also what we’re told about their state of mind and personality, of which there’s a large amount of information.”

All ten episodes of the series will release on Thursday, July 18th on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock.

Sources: Peacock, EW