Why is Roland Emmerich Obsessed with the Roman Empire? - Rise or Die Episode 1

On this episode, host Dana Schwartz (Noble Blood) talks with the cast and creators of the Peacock Original Series Those About To Die about bringing ancient Rome to life. Names like Vespasian, Titus and Domitian are instantly recognizable, locations like the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum loom and the gritty underbelly of Roman society feels familiar…and also alien, all at the same time.
With that history in mind, it felt important for this first episode of Rise or Die to zero in on the historical inspiration for the series. Why was 79 CE the perfect year to set Those About To Die in? To find out, we spoke to series director and executive producer, Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Patriot) about what drew him to this specific chapter of Roman history. We also talk with series production designer Johannes Mueke, and actors Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins.

Stream Those About To Die after the episode, only on Peacock.

Roland Emmerich’s new gladiator series, “Those About to Die” (starring Anthony Hopkins), is a brand new epic series that explores the Roman Empire in 79 CE.  Streaming on Peacock (NBC) and inspired by the same book as “Gladiator”, “Those About to Die” delves into the life of the Flavian Dynasty, the Gladiator, the Chariot Races, the Patricians, and the Underbelly. From Gladiator 2 gladiator and chariot race to chariot race we discover how the bloody arena fueled the Roman Empire and the introduction of the new Flavian Amphitheatre or as we know it today, the Colosseum. 

“Those About to Die” premieres July 18 on Peacock.

“Those About to Die” cast includes:
Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian
Iwan Rheon as Tenax
Jojo Macari as Domitian
Tom Hughes as Titus 
Gabriella Pession as Antonia
Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus
Sara Martins as Cala
Johannes Haukur Johannesson as Viggo
Moe Hashim - Kwame
Rupert Penry-Jones as Marsus

Presented by “Those About to Die”