4 Early Things to Love About Peacock's Upcoming Gladiator Series 'Those About to Die'

Shooting for producer-director Roland Emmerich’s (“Independence Day”) new series, “Those About to Die,” only began in March, and though the actors and writers guilds are still on strike, effectively halting productions everywhere, there are still good things in store for streaming viewers and history buffs.

NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, made a straight-to-series order with Emmerich. The new 10-part series stars Anthony Hopkins (“The Silence of the Lambs”) and is described as “a large-scale drama set within the spectacular, complex and corrupt world of gladiatorial sports in Ancient Rome. The series introduces an ensemble of diverse characters across the many layers of Roman society where sports, politics and business intersect and collide.”

1. Its Source Material Is the Same Book “Gladiator” Used.

“Those About to Die” was written by Daniel P. Mannix in 1958, and Mannix did nothing to try to glorify Rome’s gladiatorial games in this nonfiction work. He thoroughly researched the real history of gladiators, especially those forced to fight animals, and expands on the cruelty and sadistic nature of the games in grisly detail. The book was so popular, it remained in print for more than 30 years.

The first draft of the 2000 Russell Crowe movie “Gladiator” was written by David Franzoni, who was inspired by “Those About to Die” while traveling through Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The book was reprinted as “The Way of the Gladiator” in 2001.

2. The Author of “Those About to Die” Needs His Own Show.

Daniel P. Mannix IV comes from a Navy family. His father, Daniel P. Mannix III, was a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, a Spanish-American War veteran and author of a book about his own career called “The Old Navy,” which was edited by Mannix IV. Before his writing career, the younger Mannix was a naval officer in World War II.

He began writing while working with a traveling carnival as a sword swallower and fire eater. He later became a photojournalist and magician. His other works include his autobiography, “My Life with All Creatures Great and Small,” as well as books about the occult, torture and the Atlantic Slave Trade, among others. Mannix’s choice in subject matter should provide insight into what a show based on his works might look like.

3. The Showrunner Wrote “Saving Private Ryan.”

A showrunner is a television series’ top executive who keeps the show’s creative direction and production consistent throughout its entire run. The showrunner is usually a writer and helps develop storylines, cast actors and structure seasons. It’s a big job, and if you liked “Saving Private Ryan,” you might like this, too.

Robert Rodat wrote “Saving Private Ryan” and signed on as the showrunner and creative lead for “Those About to Die” when Peacock picked up the show.

4. The Cast

Anthony Hopkins was cast as Emperor Vespasian, who ruled Rome between 69 BC and 79 BC. He came to power by launching a coup against Vitellius, who ruled for just eight months after the infamous Emperor Nero’s suicide. Tom Hughes (“Cemetery Junction”) plays Titus Flavianus and Jojo Macari (“Morbius”) is Domitian, who might both sound familiar to history majors, but the rest of us should refrain from looking them up for fear of spoilers.

The cast also includes Iwan Rheon (“Game of Thrones”), Johannes Haukur Johannesson (“Vikings”), Liraz Charhi (“Tehran”) and Rupert Penry-Jones (“MI-5”).

Production schedules are currently delayed due to the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes, so there is no release date for “Those About to Die.”

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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