Those About to Die is an epic sword-and-sandal historical drama series created by Robert Rodat. Based on the 1958 novel of the same name by author Daniel P. Mannix, the Peacock series revolves around the lives of the gladiators and citizens of the Roman Empire in Ancient Rome, where violence, greed, and lust run rampant. Those About to Die stars Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins-Court, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, and Emilio Sakraya. So, if you loved the epic fights, brutal violence, and historical drama in Those About to Die here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Rome (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Rome is a historical drama series created by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller. The HBO series is set in the 1st century BC during Ancient Rome’s transition from Republic to Empire, and it follows the story of two ordinary Roman soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo as they become heroes due to their accomplishments in the arena. Rome stars Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson in the lead roles with Polly Walker, Kenneth Cranham, Lindsay Duncan, Tobias Menzies, Kerry Condon, Karl Johnson, Indira Varma, David Bamber, Max Pirkis, Lee Boardman, and Nicholas Woodeson starring in supporting roles.
Spartacus (Starz, Plex & Rent On Prime Video)
Spartacus is a Sword-and-sandal historical drama series created by Steven S. DeKnight and Sam Raimi. The Starz series follows the story of a brave Thracian warrior, Spartacus as he becomes a gladiator and leads an uprising against the slave owner, while also trying to find his wife who was enslaved. Spartacus stars Andy Whitfield and Liam McIntyre in the lead role with Manu Bennett, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Peter Mensah, Nick E. Taraby, Jai Courtney, Antonio Te Maioha, Erin Cummings, Dan Feuerriegel, Katrina Law, Brooke Williams, Dustin Clare, Marisa Ramirez, and Ellen Hollman starring in supporting roles.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (Rent on Prime Video)
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a historical drama prequel miniseries to Spartacus created by Steven S. DeKnight. The Starz miniseries is set before the arrival of Spartacus and it follows the story of the House of Batiatus as they face numerous challenges as the Gods and their followers get ready to become gladiators for the House of Batiatus. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena stars John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, Dustin Clare, Nick E. Tarabay, Lucy Lawless, Craig Walsh-Wrightson, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Stephen Lovatt, and Antonio Te Maioha.
The Tudors (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
The Tudors is a fictional historical drama series created by Michael Hirst. The Showtime series is set in the 16th century, England and it follows the story of King Henry VIII as he gets in conflict with the Roman Catholic Church to get his first marriage annulled. Later, he goes on to lay the foundation of the Church of England and destroy the Roman Catholic Church in England. The Tudors stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the lead role with Maria Doyle Kennedy, Natalie Dormer, Anita Briem, Annabelle Wallis, Joss Stone, Tamzin Merchant, Joely Richardson, Bláthnaid McKeown, Sarah Bolger, Kate Duggan, Claire MacCauley, Laoise Murray, Eoin Murtaugh, Jake Hathaway, Zak Jenciragic, Henry Cavill, James Frain, Jeremy Northam, Frank McCusker, Henry Czerny, and Sam Neill starring in supporting roles.
Marco Polo (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Marco Polo is a historical adventure drama series created by John Fusco. Inspired by the legends of Marco Polo during his early years in the court of Kublai Khan, the Khagan of the Mongol Empire. The Netflix series follows the story of Marco Polo as he journeys across Europe and Asia, after which he becomes a prisoner in the palace of Kublai Khan. Marco Polo stars Lorenzo Richelmy in the lead role with Benedict Wong, Joan Chen, Rick Yune, Amr Waked, Remy Hii, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Mahesh Jadu, Olivia Cheng, and Chin Han starring in supporting roles.
Helen of Troy (Buy DVD on Amazon)
Helen of Troy is a British action war drama miniseries created by Ronni Kern. Based on Homer’s story of the Trojan War in the epic poem titled Iliad, it follows the story of Sparta’s ruler King Menelaus as he learns that the Prince of Troy has kidnaped his beautiful wife Helen. To exact his revenge, King Menelaus goes to war with the prince. Helen of Troy stars Sienna Guillory, Matthew Marsden, Rufus Sewell, James Callis, Daniel Lapaine, John Rhys-Davies, Stellan Skarsgård, Maryam d’Abo, Emilia Fox, Nigel Whitmey, Joe Montana, Katie Blake, and Craig Kelly.
Black Sails (Netflix, Plex, Starz & Rent on Prime Video)
Black Sails is an action-adventure period drama series created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine. The Starz series is set in the early 18th century and it follows the story of the feared pirate captain Flint, who fights for the survival of New Providence Island as the pirates in the West Indies are declared enemies of mankind. Black Sails stars Toby Stephens in the lead role with Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper, Zach McGowan, Toby Schmitz, Clara Paget, Mark Ryan, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sean Cameron Michael, Louise Barnes, Ray Stevenson, and Luke Roberts starring in supporting roles.
