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New drama series Those About To Die received mostly positive reviews from fans on Friday, with some comparing it to Game Of Thrones, while others described it as a “low-budget Spartacus”.
The Peacock show, which aired its first episode on July 18, is an epic swords-and-sandals television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner.
The series, starring Anthony Hopkins, was inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book, Those About To Die, which was also the inspiration for the film Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, 58, as Maximus.
However, on its release date, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions on the latest series, with some claiming they weren’t fans.
One fan wrote: “I was really excited for Those About to Die but it’s a little rough around the edges… it feels like a bigger budget Xena/Hercules or a lower budget Spartacus.” “I just binged the new Peacock series Those About to Die for 10 hours and thought it was good. The transition between scenes could be improved a bit. Has potential as long as the writing and plots don’t get ruined in later seasons.”
New drama series Those About To Die received mostly positive reviews from fans on Friday, with some comparing it to Game Of Thrones, while others described it as a “low-budget Spartacus”.
The Peacock drama, which aired its first episode on July 18, is an epic swords-and-sandals television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner.
The series was inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book Those About To Die, which was also the inspiration for the film Gladiator starring 58-year-old Russell Crowe (seen) as Maximus.
While others claimed they loved the show and even compared the open title sequence to HBO’s iconic series Game Of Thrones.
One fan wrote: “Going to watch Those About To Die. The opening title sequence is brilliant (very Game Of Thrones)”; “Those About To Die has me hooked, they’re catching lions in nets”; “Those About To Die (flame emoji)”; “Those About To Die is SO GOOD.”
The series stars 86-year-old Welsh actor Anthony as the elderly Emperor Vespasian, as well as Iwan Rheon, Jojo Macari and Tom Hughes.
Last year it was announced that Anthony had joined the cast of the Peacock drama.
Vespasian was a Roman emperor who reigned from 69 to 79 AD and during his reign the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known today as the Roman Colosseum, was built.
Those About To Die will be set in the “complex and corrupt” world of gladiatorial competition and will follow an ensemble cast of characters from all walks of life in Roman society.
An official synopsis describes the elderly Vespasian as “despised by the patricians who vie for position in the Empire and seek to supplant his heirs to the throne at the first opportunity they get.”
Anthony won an Oscar in 2021 for his performance in The Father and also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs.
However, on its release date, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions on the latest series, with some claiming they weren’t fans.
While others claimed they loved the show and even compared the opening title sequence to HBO’s iconic series Game Of Thrones.
Roland directed, co-wrote and co-produced the 2022 sci-fi disaster film Moonfall, which was a box office failure after grossing just $67 million worldwide.
The film starring Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson was released in February 2022 and was panned by critics.
Anthony began his acting career in the 1960s and made his film debut in the 1967 British short drama film The White Bus.
He was knighted in 1993 by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the theatre.
He also portrayed Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starred in the HBO series Westworld.
