Peacock has just unveiled a sneak peek into its newest historical drama series, Those About to Die. The series is adapted from the nonfiction novel by the late author Daniel P. Mannix (The Fox and the Hound, Killers of Kilimanjaro) of the same name. According to TVLine, the network released the trailer and the series release date during today’s WrestleMania XL.
The ancient Roman series starring Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Hitchcock) will debut on the streamer on Thursday, July 18, with all 10 episodes released simultaneously.
TVLine notes that during the teaser, linked below, Hopkins’ character is seen narrating, “The telling of history is but a history of war.” The teaser then cuts to soldiers gathering weapons for battle. His character continues, “Citizens of Rome, place your bets well, for there are those about to rise… and those about to die.”
Alongside Hopkins, other stars on the cast of Those About to Die include Tom Hughes (Cemetary Junction, A Discovery of Witches), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones, Misfits) and Sara Martins (Death in Paradise, Little White Lies). Roland Emmerich (Godzilla, Independence Day: Resurgence) is set to executive produce the series and will write five episodes. Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan, Falling Skies) will also be another writer for just three episodes.
TVLine notes that the official logline for the series describes Those About to Die as “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.”
See the trailer below for Those About to Die available only on Peacock on Thursday, July 18th!