Good new BBC series on Rome

**Geoffrey S** · 09-24-2006, 21:43

Ancient Rome – The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. A new series on BBC 1 on thursdays, 21.00. I watched the one on Nero last thursday and came away surprisingly impressed. After being disappointed in the two-parter on Hannibal and the thing about Augustus I was reluctant to start watching this new series, but the production values, general evocation of the period, and terrific acting (for a change!) made it well worth a watch. I felt the actor portraying Nero did an incredible job of portraying the contradictory character, and the program did a great job when it came to making Rome look great again. There are issues, such as the documentary explanatory dialogue clashing with the dramatic style of the program, and it isn't strictly a documentary but more something in the style of Rome, but all in all it was very good.

Next week Julius Caesar's the subject, and I can wholeheartedly recommend people interested in the period to give it a chance.

**Pannonian** · 09-24-2006, 22:29

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Ancient Rome – The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. A new series on BBC 1 on thursdays, 21.00. I watched the one on Nero last thursday and came away surprisingly impressed. After being disappointed in the two-parter on Hannibal and the thing about Augustus I was reluctant to start watching this new series, but the production values, general evocation of the period, and terrific acting (for a change!) made it well worth a watch. I felt the actor portraying Nero did an incredible job of portraying the contradictory character

The actor seems to specialise in portraying slimy, corrupt madmen - he's played Tony Blair twice now.

Next week Julius Caesar's the subject, and I can wholeheartedly recommend people interested in the period to give it a chance.

Do you know what the other programmes will centre on? I know about Nero, Caesar, and Ti. Gracchus, but what of the others?

**The Blind King of Bohemia** · 09-24-2006, 23:09

Constantine will be one as well.

**rotorgun** · 09-25-2006, 02:41

Do you all think that it may be aired on BBC America? I do hope so! It sounds rather intruiging.

Sincerly,

**Orda Khan** · 09-25-2006, 10:01

Originally Posted by rotorgun

Do you all think that it may be aired on BBC America? I do hope so! It sounds rather intruiging.

Sincerly,

Not sure but I hope you get lucky. The first episode was really well done

......Orda

**Pannonian** · 09-25-2006, 17:25

Did anyone catch any inaccuracies? I couldn't.

**MSB** · 09-25-2006, 18:29

I watched it too. It was brilliant, I would recommend it.

Originally Posted by rotorgun

Do you all think that it may be aired on BBC America? I do hope so! It sounds rather intruiging.

I am not sure if it will be on in America, but it may be on in a few months (a bit like America is getting Doctor Who Season 2 now while we had in Britain in April). If you want to watch good BBC programs I only have one peice of advice - come to the UK!

Anyhow I think one is about Vespasian (from what was said at the end of the Nero episode), however I am not sure.

Originally Posted by Pannonian

Did anyone catch any inaccuracies? I couldn't.

It's a documentary with a bit of drama in it so it probably won't (but I didn't see Nero wearing purple at anytime. I'm not sure if that counts). If anybody has watched Pompeii the Last Day (excuse the spelling) or the program on BBC1 about Gladiators, it is exactly like that. I think it even has the same voiceover man (although I am not sure).

EDIT: Oh and responding to your brilliantly funny post:

Originally Posted by Pannonian

The actor seems to specialise in portraying slimy, corrupt madmen - he's played Tony Blair twice now.

I'm going to be laughing at that forever!!!