Those About to Die

Those About to Die opens in the loud, crowded world of ancient Rome where gladiatorial contests are more than sport, they run the economy and influence politics. The series follows a wide cast, from Emperor Vespasian and his heirs to gladiators, trainers and entrepreneurs, showing how fights ripple through social ranks. Personal ambition, patronage and money shape matches as much as skill, and the public spectacle often masks private bargaining. Episodes shift between the sand of the arena and the corridors of power, portraying a society where entertainment, commerce and governance are tightly entangled without giving away how individual stories resolve.

Released in 2024, the television series was created by Robert Rodat and draws on Daniel P. Mannix's work on gladiators, and it stars Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Iwan Rheon and Gabriella Pession.

Critical and audience reactions have been mixed to positive, with a 7.4/10 average from 305 votes. Reviewers tended to praise the production design, lead performances and the scale of the arena sequences, while some noted uneven pacing and tonal shifts. The show foregrounds themes of power, spectacle as commerce, social hierarchy and the personal costs of public entertainment.

The casting of Anthony Hopkins and the show's large, cinematic gladiator scenes generated steady discussion, especially around how violence is staged for television. Costume and set work have been singled out in features and online commentary, and the series has encouraged renewed viewer interest in Roman-era programming and nonfiction about ancient spectacles.

As of its early run the series had not secured major awards, though several performances and technical elements were called out in reviews and considered potential contenders for future awards cycles.