Why "Those About to Die" Deserves More Recognition Than It Got
By Published May 3, 2026, 8:01 AM EDT
Shealyn Scott is a Self-Publishing Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2026, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television.
A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance).
As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene.
As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator.
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One of Peacock's most ambitious series harks back to genre-defining titles like Gladiator and Game of Thrones, but it's still criminally underrated. Without question, Ridley Scott's 2000 film Gladiator is one of the most influential of all time. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Maximus Decimus Meridius avenging his family's murder by becoming the eponymous Colosseum fighter was an award-winning performance. Similarly, Game of Thrones revolutionized the fantasy genre, blurring the line between classic sword and sorcery and highbrow prestige television for arguably the first time in history.
As such, when Peacock released its 2026 fantasy epic, , comparisons were ample and easy to draw for critics and viewers alike. The similarity between the series and Gladiator is glaringly obvious, as both take place in ancient Rome and focus on Colosseum death games (among other prevalent aspects of society, like corrupt politicians and systems of slavery). Conversely, Game of Thrones is far from a , but the high fantasy institution still bears some unexpected similarities to Those About to Die— namely regarding its sheer shock value and fatal familial unrest.
From the beginning, Those About to Die was even likened to a Game of Thrones plot simply set in Rome rather than Westeros. As the 10-episode series developed, however, its unique identity slowly emerged. Titus (Tom Hughes) and Domitian (Jojo Macari) both vying for their father's emperorship made for a thrilling rivalry, while devoted mother Cala's (Sara Martins) quest to free her children added an unexpectedly emotional edge to the typical blood, sex, and death. Unfortunately, Those About to Die's constant comparisons meant its greatest strengths were often overlooked.
Those About To Die Was Underrated Upon Release
Peacock's Bold Take On Roman History Was Massively Underestimated
The lukewarm critical response to Those About to Die certainly contributed to its less-than-stellar reputation, but constant comparisons to Game of Thrones and Gladiator also worked as a double-edged sword. Being linked to major IPs may lead to a bump in viewership, but more often than not, it merely invites the audience to measure a new series against any acclaimed title it loosely resembles— a competition that's rigged from the start. Furthermore, Those About to Die was never meant to be a replica of Gladiator or Game of Thrones in the first place.
Rather, the Peacock original offers something different entirely. There was clearly a concerted effort made to incorporate some truly fascinating and lesser-known characteristics of ancient Rome, from the show's chariot-racing storylines to its meticulous sets that even the most pedantic history fans can marvel at. At the same time, accuracy obviously isn't its main priority, but the anachronisms almost always serve a larger purpose in the overarching narrative. Sadly, far too few took the chance to watch the show itself, missing out on the genuinely enthralling performances of cast members like Martins and the indomitable Anthony Hopkins (Vespasianus).
Those About To Die Was Overshadowed By Gladiator 2
The TV Landscape Wasn't Big Enough For Two Colosseum Tales
Of course, there was one major factor that helped banish Those About to Die to television limbo: Gladiator 2. Starring Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus Aurelius, son of the first film's protagonist, the blockbuster sequel dropped mere months after Those About to Die's series premiere. Consequently, the film completely eclipsed Peacock's historical drama, prematurely ending any chance it had to succeed in a mainstream capacity. With all the buzz immediately redirected to Gladiator 2, it's no wonder that Those About to Die remains in purgatory to this day, never officially canceled but never renewed for season 2.
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Ironically, the film's release should have helped the Peacock original— at least in theory. The high-budget epic with intense battle scenes could have whetted the audience's appetite for a resurgence of classical films set in Roman antiquity. Plus, the political intrigue of the 2026 series and the bloodthirsty sword-and-sandal structure of the sequel balanced each other nicely as a makeshift double feature. Yet, while , its direct connection to a beloved franchise overshadowed Those About to Die during a pivotal moment, and the promising series has been wading in obscurity ever since.
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Tom Huges
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