Peacock has set the premiere date and released the first trailer for Roland Emmerich‘s gladiator epic Those About To Die, starring Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. All ten episodes of the series will drop Thursday, July 18 on the streamer.
Based on Daniel P. Mannix’s nonfiction classic of the same name, the series stars Hopkins as Emperor Vaspasian during the height of the Roman Empire. The epic drama is 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.
The ensemble cast also includes Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy and Romana Maggiora Vergano.
Those About To Die is produced by Centropolis Entertainment, Hollywood Gang Productions and Street Entertainment.
Executive producers are Emmerich, Harald Kloser, Gianni Nunnari who originally acquired the rights to the book, Herbert G. Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz, Oliver Berben, Jonas Bauer, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, Charles Holland, Marco Kreuzpaintner and Robert Rodat. Emmerich, Kloser and Nunnari developed the show and brought it to AGC Studios. Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner each direct five episodes of the 10-episode series.
Check out the teaser above.