Those About To Die Cast & Character Guide

Summary

• Those About to Die
  stars a talented cast led by Anthony Hopkins, and is an intriguing swords-and-sandals epic set in ancient Rome.
• The series explores the seedy underworld of crime surrounding the Roman Empire’s sports industry, impacting the political dealings of Emperor Vespasian and his sons.
• The stand-alone historical series is a blend of action and political drama with recognizable faces from
  Game of Thrones
  and
  Ted Lasso
  , among other noteworthy TV series and movies.

Iconic action director Roland Emmerich is behind Peacock’s new swords-and-sandals epic series Those About to Die, which introduces a new host of characters vying for position and wealth in ancient Rome. The stand-alone historical drama is based on Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book Those About to Die, and is set during the reign of the real Roman Emperor Vespasian circa 79 AD. The series focuses on the seedy underworld of crime surrounding the Roman Empire’s sports industry, and how that world impacted the political dealings of the Emperor and his sons.

The cast is led by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins, who plays Emperor Vespasian himself at the end of his life. The cast includes many relative newcomers, but also features several recognizable faces from shows like Game of Thrones and Ted Lasso. Those About to Die already has a Rotten Tomatoes score, and now that it is streaming on Peacock a greater audience can enjoy the talented cast in an intriguing political drama with plenty of action.

Sir Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian

Date of Birth: December 31st, 1937

Actor: Sir Anthony Hopkins is one of the most storied and famous actors in the history of stage and screen. He first broke out movies like The Lion in Winter (1968) and A Bridge Too Far (1977), but he became a household name after winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of serial killer Hannibal Lecter in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs. Over his long career, he has received six Academy Award nominations in addition to a slew of other high-profile award nominations and wins.

Character: Sir Anthony Hopkins, who was born in Port Talbot, Wales, plays Emperor Vespasian, the emperor of Rome from 69 to 79 AD. In Those About to Die, Vespasian is at the end of his life, and is all too aware that both of his sons, Titus and Domitian Flavianus, are angling to secure their own position after his death. Vespasian is no figurehead, however; he’s a smart, experienced leader who knows how to manipulate as well as any of those who would seek power in Rome.

Iwan Rheon as Tenax

Date of Birth: May 13th, 1985

Actor: Iwan Rheon is a Welsh actor who has been active for more than two decades. He first broke out in the British comedy-drama series Misfits, but he gained world-wide recognition as the devious and cruel Ramsay Bolton in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Prior to Those About to Die, Rheon starred in the short-lived Marvel TV show Inhumans and Netflix’s hit biographical comedy-drama The Dirt, in which Rheon played Motley Crüe drummer Mick Mars.

Character: In Those About to Die, Rheon plays Tenax, a low-born man who scratched and clawed his way to becoming one of the most powerful crime bosses of the Roman underworld. He is a brilliant schemer who maintains power through intimidation and manipulation, and controls the profitable (and occasionally corrupt) gambling industry that drives gladiatorial games. Tenax is one of the most influential characters on the show despite his common upbringing.

Jojo Macari as Domitian Flavianus

Date of Birth: December 30th, 1996

Actor: Jojo Macari is an English actor from London who first broke out in the BBC series Hard Sun in 2018. Since then he has earned recurring roles in a number of high-profile TV shows, including Netflix’s popular comedy Sex Education and British crime drama The Irregulars. Prior to Those About to Die, Macari made brief appearances in the Sony Marvel movie Morbius and the Apple TV+ prestige drama Masters of the Air.

Character: Jojo Macari plays the intense younger son of Emperor Vespasian, Domitian. As the younger son, Domitian is not named as Vespasian’s heir upon his death, but that only leads to a vicious rivalry with his older brother, Titus. Domitian understands the value of gladiatorial games, unlike his soldier brother, who sees them as wasteful. As a result, Domitian is well-versed in the gambling underworld, and aligns himself with Tenax in an effort to further his wealth and power.

Tom Hughes as Titus Flavianus

Date of Birth: April 18th, 1985

Actor: Tom Hughes is an English actor who has starred largely in British TV series and movies thus far in his career. He broke out in 2010 in the British biographical drama Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, in which he played English songwriter Chaz Yankel alongside Andy Serkis in the lead role. Since then he has earned main roles in a number of TV series, most recently including the Amazon Prime series The English and the Apple TV+ historical drama series Franklin. He is set to star as Hal Jordan in the upcoming series Green Lantern, based on the DC Comics character.

Character: Tom Hughes plays the eldest son of Emperor Vespasian, Titus Flavius. Titus is a stern, stubborn military man who finds the gladiatorial games distasteful and unnecessary, and matches his brother’s scheming with his own practicality. As his brother works to undermine his authority, Titus works to hold on to the power he has, which grows limited as a result of Domitian’s schemes.

Sara Martins as Cala

Date of Birth: August 19th, 1977

Actor: Sara Martins is a French actress who has largely appeared in French television throughout her career. Her international breakout came in 2011 when she was cast in the BBC comedy-drama series Death in Paradise. Since then she has continued to appear in French movies and TV series, although she’s had one-off appearances in more well-known series, including the Amazon Prime series Citadel.

Character: Sara Martins plays Cala, the Numidian trader and mother who uses her intelligence and determination to manipulate those around her and improve her station. Her ultimate goal is to earn enough money, influence, or both to free her three children from Roman slavery. Cala proves to be an extremely useful asset to Tenax, and continues to maneuver her way around those in power throughout the series, never losing sight of her ultimate goal.

Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus

Date of Birth: November 14th, 1987

Actor: Dimitri Leonidas was born in London to a Greek father and an English mother, and had a number of small film and TV roles early in his career. His breakout came in 2013, when he was cast in both George Clooney’s WWII film The Monuments Men and Jon Stewart’s political drama Rosewater. Like his co-star Jojo Macari, Leonidas also appeared briefly in the Apple TV+ prestige drama Masters of the Air in 2024.

Character: In Those About to Die, Leonidas plays Scorpus, the celebrated and beloved charioteer who was a real-life celebrity in Vespasian’s Rome who won over 2,000 races. Scorpus likes to enjoy the perks of his celebrity and position, although he is still at the mercy of those with true power. He’s a friend to Tenax, yet he isn’t afraid to change allegiances if the price is right.

Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Viggo

Date of Birth: February 26th, 1980

Actor: Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson was born in Iceland, and his origins have played a role in the type of roles he’s been able to earn. His breakout role was a two-episode arc on Game of Thrones, in which he played the corrupt peacekeeper Lem Lemoncloak. Since then he has had starring and guest-starring roles in several high-profile TV shows, including The Last Kingdom, Vikings: Valhalla and Succession.

Character: Jóhannesson’s character in Those About to Die is Viggo, a Norse warrior who is an expert in gladiatorial weaponry and the games themselves. Viggo forms a bond with Kwame as he enters his gladiator training, going so far as to help him stay alive in the arena, and appears to be an honorable man even though he is part of the gambling/sports underworld.

Moe Hashim as Kwame

Date of Birth: Unlisted

Actor: There is limited information available about Moe Hashim, as his acting career is only just beginning. His breakout role came in 2022 as Moe Bumbercatch, the Swiss footballer who played for Richmond F.C. in Apple TV+’s Emmy Award-winning series Ted Lasso. Those About to Die represents his most significant role to date.

Character: Kwame is a Numidian warrior who was captured and forced into gladiatorial training after displaying his skills as a fighter in front of Roman soldiers. A former lion hunter, Kwame has a connection with animals that comes in handy in the arena, where animals are often used as part of the spectacle. He is the son of Cala, who is constantly looking for ways to free Kwame and his sisters, Aura and Jula, from the yoke of Roman slavery.

Rupert Penry-Jones as Consul Marsus

Date of Birth: September 22nd, 1970

Actor: Rupert Penry-Jones is an English actor from London, whose breakout came in 2003 when he earned a leading role in the BAFTA-winning spy drama series Spooks. Since then he has had steady work both in leading and guest roles in both TV and movies, starring in series such as Whitechapel, Silk, and the American horror drama The Strain on FX. He was most recently seen in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, in which he played Mayor Don Mitchell.

Character: Rupert Penry-Jones plays the scheming Consul Marsus in Those About to Die, the local politician who aims at the highest authority in the Roman Empire. Together with his wife Antonia, Marsus works to harness and manipulate the very power of the gods to remove the Flavianus dynasty from the throne.

Gabriella Pession as Antonia

Date of Birth: November 2nd, 1977

Actor: Gabriella Pession was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, but she has spent much of her life working and living in Italy. After a long and successful career in Italy, Pession broke out internationally in 2013 in the lead role of Crossing Lines opposite William Fichtner. She recently made a guest appearance on the ABD drama Station 19, and she will have a key role in the upcoming adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, which will star Sam Claflin.

Character: Antonia is the shrewd and sly wife of Consul Marsus, and is his equal when it comes to conspiracy. Antonia carries on an illicit relationship with the charioteer Scorpus, with her husband’s knowledge. Marsus may be the one taking action, but it’s Antonia who has true influence over him and dictates many of his machinations.

Those About To Die Supporting Cast & Characters

Lara Wolf as Berenice: Lara Wolf plays Berenice, the Judean mistress of Titus, who is recognized as the “Jewish Queen” by the Romans who look down on her. The Persian-Swiss actress and singer has had a number of small roles over her career, but North American audiences will recognize her from the series Quantico and the Steve Coogan comedy drama Hot Air.

David Wurawa as Gavros: David Wurawa plays Gavros, an experienced horse trainer and expert in the gladiatorial games, especially chariot-racing. Wurawa has most recently been seen in the Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone, and another drama series set in Ancient Rome, the Netflix series Barbarians.

Kyshan Wilson as Aura: Kyshan Wilson plays Aura, the older daughter of Cala who winds up in Roman slavery, and is purchased by Tenax. Wilson has a short filmography having just started acting within the last couple of years, but she has had roles in the series Viola and The Sea Beyond, and the feature film Under the Amalfi Sun.

Alicia Edogamhe as Jula: Alicia Edogamhe plays Jula, the younger daughter of Cala who is also sold into Roman slavery, and is purchased by Marsus and Antonia at a high price due to her virginity. Those About to Die is Eogamhe’s first acting role.

Martyn Ford as Flamma: Martyn Ford plays Flamma, the tattooed and monstrous gladiator who acts as Kwame’s first opponent in the arena. Given his large stature, Ford has appeared in a number of major films in small roles, including The Machine, F9: The Fast Saga, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.