Empires rise and fall, but behind the scenes, we often don’t see all of the moving parts. In the new series Those About to Die, now streaming on Peacock, we see a snapshot of the Roman Empire and all of the different factions. From the dynastic families who are moving behind the scenes to secure their place hopefully on the throne next, to the everyday people who are struggling to survive daily or inside the Colosseum. The show balances each character’s fate on a razor’s edge and every decision can change their story as well as the ones of everyone around them.

The series has ten different episodes, but the first two introduce you to most of the major characters and different families. While there are four different major families featured, the show also includes the lives of the slaves and the different citizens around the different Roman territories. In almost an Upstairs/Downstairs type way, the series shows you the stark difference between the haves and the have-nots of the era, and what they’re all willing to do to survive.
Audiences go from lavish domus where families are plotting the death of the Emporer to the streets where people are struggling to survive. Instead of making changes that could help society, to stop the starving, the government decides that they will hold more games of people fighting for survival as a public spectacle. Now, the smallest indiscretion could put someone literally fighting for their life in the games.
The series is beautifully shot, and the costumes and sets alone can help take you back to ancient Rome. The stories are compelling and we’re looking forward to seeing where the series will take them. Each character and story arc is woven through the others and no matter their station, are only a few steps away from death or power.
All 10 episodes of THOSE ABOUT TO DIE are now streaming on Peacock, just in time for viewers to also watch the 2024 Paris Olympics (July 26 – Aug 11, 2024). Every event of the Summer Games will stream live on Peacock. Opening Ceremony coverage begins July 26 at Noon ET on NBC and Peacock.
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About Those About to Die
THOSE ABOUT TO DIE is an epic drama set in the corrupt world of the spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition, exploring a side of ancient Rome never before told — the dirty business of entertaining the masses, giving the mob what they want most…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.