Peplum’s The About to Die, directed by Roland Emmerich, premiered on Prime Video to mixed reviews. Despite an ambitious first season—remember its $140 million budget—the series didn’t quite deliver, scoring a 2.6 out of 5 on AlloCiné and a 56% on Rotten Tomatoes.
But one question remains: Will there be a second season?
The open end of the first season
The first season of “The About to Die” ended with several storylines left hanging, hinting at the possibility of a sequel. Domitian (Jojo Macari) becomes emperor with the help of Tenax (Ivan Rheon), and the Flavian amphitheater, now called the Colosseum, opens its doors for the grand games.
The main characters, now in new positions of power, must navigate the corrupt world of ancient Rome. Domitian, Tenax and Kala (Sarah Martins) face new challenges, while Kwame (Mo Hashim) continues to fight as a gladiator after giving his sister his freedom.
A look at the second season
When asked about a possible season 2, Roland Emmerich offered Collider that there were plans to continue the story. He discussed the idea of taking a similar model to The Godfather: Part II, where the events leading up to the first season would be explored in the present along with character development. Emmerich explained:
“The Godfather Part 1 was a great movie and they were wondering what to do. They went back in time to show how he became emperor and his son got into trouble because he was related to him.
They follow and he survives, and then, on the other hand, they tell the stories of all these characters – what happens next, and I don’t want to give that away.“.
Acceptance and future
Despite its high ambitions, the series failed to impress critics and viewers. Critics pointed to weaknesses in character development and sometimes confusing plots. But also poorly executed and very flashy special effects.
Inspired by the success of Game of Thrones, Roland Emmerich hoped to create a television epic rich in intrigue and drama, but the result did not live up to expectations.
Pending official confirmation from Peacock (the series’ original platform), the future of The About to Die remains uncertain. Fans hope that the series can correct its flaws and deliver a more compelling second season, enriching the world of ancient Rome with stronger and more compelling stories.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
