Roman Empire – Season 1
Director: Directed by Richard Lopez; episodes written by Jeremiah Murphy and Peter Sherman
Cast: Narrator: Sean Bean; Commodus: Aaron Jakubenko; others include Lisa Chappell (Faustina the Younger), Ella Becroft (Bruttia Crispina), Edwin Wright (Cassius Dio), Genevieve Aitken (Marcia), Jared Turner (Cleander), John Bach (Marcus Aurelius), Tai Berdinner-Blades (Lucilla), Calum Gittins (Saoterus), Mike Edward (Narcissus)
Roman Empire – Season 1: Commodus: Reign of Blood is a captivating docudrama that premiered on Netflix on November 11, 2016. Directed by Richard Lopez and crafted by writers Jeremiah Murphy and Peter Sherman, this six-episode season tells the blood-soaked story of Emperor Commodus, focusing on his ascent to the throne and his ruthless reign. Each installment runs for approximately 32 minutes, blending high-quality reenactments with expert narration by Sean Bean to bring one of Rome’s most notorious rulers to life.
Set against the backdrop of political intrigue and imperial decay, the series opens with Commodus being groomed by his father, Marcus Aurelius, during campaigns in Germania. Following the emperor’s death, Commodus ascends to power amid gossip, conspiracy, and the simmering resentment of the Senate. As his grip on the empire weakens, displays of brutality—such as exiling his wife, making a lover of Marcia, and pitting himself in the gladiatorial arena—highlight his descent into madness. The climax sees Commodus enthroned as a gladiator-emperor until betrayal and violence bring about his downfall, triggering the infamous “Year of the Five Emperors.”
With a solid IMDb rating of ~7.0/10, the series is praised for its slick production and dramatic flair, though it takes creative liberties with historical accuracy. It immerses viewers in a visually rich, if dramatized, version of Commodus’s reign. Commodus: Reign of Blood succeeds as an engaging introduction to the darker side of Roman imperial history—perfect for fans of dramatic historical storytelling, even if purists might quibble with its embellishments.
Roman Empire – Season 1: Commodus: Reign of Blood is a captivating docudrama that premiered on Netflix on November 11, 2016. Directed by Richard Lopez and crafted by writers Jeremiah Murphy and Peter Sherman, this six-episode season tells the blood-soaked story of Emperor Commodus, focusing on his ascent to the throne and his ruthless reign. Each installment runs for approximately 32 minutes, blending high-quality reenactments with expert narration by Sean Bean to bring one of Rome’s most notorious rulers to life.
Set against the backdrop of political intrigue and imperial decay, the series opens with Commodus being groomed by his father, Marcus Aurelius, during campaigns in Germania. Following the emperor’s death, Commodus ascends to power amid gossip, conspiracy, and the simmering resentment of the Senate. As his grip on the empire weakens, displays of brutality—such as exiling his wife, making a lover of Marcia, and pitting himself in the gladiatorial arena—highlight his descent into madness. The climax sees Commodus enthroned as a gladiator-emperor until betrayal and violence bring about his downfall, triggering the infamous “Year of the Five Emperors.”
With a solid IMDb rating of ~7.0/10, the series is praised for its slick production and dramatic flair, though it takes creative liberties with historical accuracy. It immerses viewers in a visually rich, if dramatized, version of Commodus’s reign. Commodus: Reign of Blood succeeds as an engaging introduction to the darker side of Roman imperial history—perfect for fans of dramatic historical storytelling, even if purists might quibble with its embellishments.