Those About to Die ⁞⁞ Series Spotlight

Peacock's new period drama Those About to Die focuses on the lives of Emperor Vespasian (Anthony Hopkins), his family and those around him, inhabiting Rome during a pivotal time as they juggle political aspirations, geographical conflicts, and the dirty business of entertaining the masses, delivering blood and sport in their amphitheater. Vespasian's declining health leads to a rising conflict between his sons, the consummate soldier Titus (Tom Hughes) and his younger brother Domitian (Jojo Macari), the political prodigy. After their father anoints Titus as his heir, the queer Domitian seeks to wrestle power away from his brother, leading to an alliance with opportunistic leading man Tenax (Iwan Rheon). Their partnership of plotting for ultimate power drives the first season. Domitian is also inseparable from his consort Hermes (Alessandro Bedetti) who acts as his companion and confidant. Their relationship receives major focus on the series as Hermes bares witness to many of Domitian's secret scandals. Later, Hermes betrays Domitian by having sex with a guard, without Domitian's permission. He walks in on the two and immediately lashes out, ordering the guard's death and Hermes to be imprisoned. When Domitian overhears him suggesting to guards that they let him speak to Titus, Domitian ensures his death to keep his secrets safe. With a trail of bodies left along the way, Domitian & Tenax's schemes ultimately pay off as the first season ends with Titus dead, and Domitian assuming the throne as emperor.  

In addition to the gay relationship between Domitian and his doomed mate Hermes, the series also featured a lesbian subplot for Aura (Kyshan Wilson), the eldest daughter of leading lady Cala (Sara Martins), who works to free her three children from slavery in Rome, while romancing Tenax. One of the series' major points of entertainment comes via chariot racing. Another subplot focuses on two of the most popular racers, Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas) and Xenon (Emilio Sakraya). In league with Tenax, Scorpus does what it takes to win the race. During a drunken night out together, he is surprised by a kiss from Xenon. While this appears to solidify their friendship, things take a dark turn after Xenon is left injured during a chariot race accident and witnesses Scorpus sabotage a fellow racer from his own faction. When Xenon urges Scorpus to confess or leave Xenon to reveal the truth, Scorpus strangles the injured man to death.