Stream It Or Nah: Peacock's 'Those About to Die' Starring Anthony Hopkins

In the liminal space between Gladiator movie releases, Peacock attempts to fill the void with Roland Emmerich’s swords-and-sandals series, Those About To Die. While ambitious, its characters lack the compelling nature of Maximus Decimus Meridius, and none of its actors match Denzel Washington’s charisma. However, the presence of Sir Anthony Hopkins lends some gravitas to the production.

Set in AD 79, after Nero’s death and the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, this ten-episode series depicts Rome ruled by four competing factions: The Blues, The Reds, The Whites, and The Greens. Sir Anthony Hopkins portrays Emperor Vespasian, but The Factions, as shareholders of the Circus Maximus and sponsors of its chariot racing teams, wield considerable influence. They compete for wealth and status, lording their collective power over Rome’s citizens—essentially The Ton in togas, albeit more ruthless and prone to literal backstabbing.

The series opens with Vespasian’s efforts to complete the Flavian Amphitheater (later known as the Colosseum), which will rival the privately-owned Circus Maximus as a publicly-owned venue. This conflict, however, is quickly overshadowed by the show’s myriad subplots.

The aging Emperor must choose his successor between two sons: Titus (Tom Hughes from Victoria), a handsome and respected military leader with Rome’s best interests at heart, or Domitian (Jojo Macari from Morbius), an unscrupulous schemer prioritizing personal gain. It’s a familiar scenario for Sir Anthony, reminiscent of his role in Thor.

Interwoven with the political machinations of the elite are the stories of Rome’s slaves, prisoners of war, and gladiators. We meet Cala (Sara Martins), a Numidian woman whose three children are separated and sold into various forms of servitude. Cala’s cunning allows her to become indispensable to Tenax (Iwan Rheon), who runs the betting den for Circus Maximus races.

Tenax, the show’s unreliable narrator, is a morally ambiguous character. While capable of cruelty, he demonstrates moments of kindness, helping street urchins and aiding Cala in connecting with her children. His relationship with Domitian echoes the dynamic between Ramsay Bolton and Theon in Game of Thrones—though Tenax is no Ramsay Bolton.

Ambitious and power-hungry, Tenax creates his own Gold Faction, poaching the popular chariot racer Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas). He employs slaves and children as spies while battling to keep his own past secret.

Those About To Die draws inevitable comparisons to Game of Thrones, with its blend of sex, violence, and political intrigue. It’s akin to “Game of Thrones Throws a Toga Party”—less serious and more sexually explicit. While featuring similar levels of nudity and sex, it avoids the misogynistic undertones often criticized in GoT.

The show attempts to shock viewers with graphic violence, but its heavy reliance on CGI may leave audiences desensitized by GoT or The Walking Dead unimpressed. The series starts slowly, front-loading characters and locations while balancing political plots with historically accurate (if eyebrow-raising) details about Roman life.

Those About To Die serves as an average time-filler until Gladiator II’s release. Standout performances come from Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins, who fully embrace their roles. However, some actors appear less engaged, merely going through the motions.

The show treads familiar ground with predictable plotlines. Its overreliance on CGI flattens the visual experience, diminishing the impact of lavish locations and costumes. The gladiatorial spectacles in the Circus Maximus feel stale, perhaps fitting for our current times, as we continue to navigate unprecedented global challenges.

All episodes of Those About To Die are available to stream on Peacock.