The Romans Are Coming - Empire on Sky One
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008Sword and Sandal action on Sky
Maybe its the Gladiators effect (Sundays, Sky One, 11pm), maybe not, but Sky have seem to have got Romans on the brain; recently they snapped up the rights to the stunning six-part miniseries Empire, which tells the life story of Gauis Octavius Thurlinus, better known as Octavius, who would later assume the mantle of Emperor under the name Augustus. Confused yet?
Shot in 2005, the six-parter follows the life of Octavius and his struggle to fulfil the dying wish of his great uncle Julius Ceasar; for him to take command of the Roman Empire. The show, broadcast in both standard and High Definition is said to be “visually stunning” and casts Santiago Cabrera (aka Issac Mendez from Heroes) in the lead role. Emily Blunt, who starred in The Devil Wears Prada, features alongside Cabrera, as does Jonathan Cake, star of Channel 4’s Mosley.
Sky says: “Empire is an epic drama bringing to life the fate of the entire Roman Empire and arguably one of the most significant figures in modern history, Octavius - the boy destined to become Emperor Augustus.”
Empire was filmed way back in 2005, probably conceived as a screen rival to the lavish BBC/HBO series Rome, and has been available on Region 1 for some time now. Empire will begin airing on Thursday nights from June the 26th on Sky One and Sky One HD.
