There’s no doubt that HBO’sRome, a well-received historical epic that was praised by experts, was canceled way too soon. Set in Ancient Rome during the 1st century BC,Romecenters on Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson)and Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd). Against all odds,the Roman soldiers are pulled into crucial historical events as their beloved civilization transforms from a Republic into an Empireunder Julius Caesar’s (Ciarán Hinds) ambitious rule.Rome’s charactersalso include Caesar’s ruthless-yet-memorable niece, Atia of the Julii (Polly Walker), who aims to put her son, Octavian (Max Pirkis), on the throne.
A ratings success for both HBO and the BBC,Romewas lauded by critics, historians, and audiences alike. However, despite all the praise, Emmy nominations, and surges in viewership thatRomegarnered for the network, HBO canceled the series after just two seasons. Initially,Rome’s creators had planned for at least five seasons, as they hoped to chronicle the whole of Octavian’s story as well.Nearly 20 years sinceRomedebuted, long-time fans and newcomers alike are still frustrated by HBO’s decisionto ax what has proven to be one of the network’s most enduring and beloved TV series ever.
Why Did HBO Cancel Rome After Just Two Seasons?
The Historical Epic’s Massive Budget Was A Key Factor In HBO’s Decision To Pull The Plug
The most clear-cut reason forRome’s cancelation after just two seasons came down to the show’s high production costs. Notably, HBO and the BBC co-produced the series, pooling resources together for a 12-episode first season that had a then-staggering budget of $100 million. Dubbed “notoriously expensive,“Rome’s incredible attention to detail and dedication to rendering an accurate, gritty world also contributed to its downfall(viaNextTV). After the initial two-season contract ended, the BBC felt it would be too costly to sign on for more. With its partner waffling, HBO decided to cancel the epic.
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During season 2’s production, then-HBO chairman Chris Albrecht made the show’s cancelation official. According to series creators John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller, the planned five-season arc would have more extensively covered Ancient Rome’s interactions with Egypt — those threads were compressed into the second outing — as well as Jesus' rise in Palestine. With a set that spanned a reported “five acres and six sound stages,“Romewas a massive undertaking (viaSlashFilm).One of the most expensive TV series ever,Romewasn’t sustainable, even if the budget wasn’t unwieldy by today’s standards.
Why Rome Was Canceled Too Soon
Rome Was Cut Short Before Its Planned Five-Season Arc Could Unfold
Without a doubt, Rome was canceled way too soon. In recent years, HBO executives have even expressed regrets about not finding a way to make the show’s planned five-season arc work. For the most part,Romeis better thanSpartacusand other Hollywood epics largely because of its gritty, realistic approach to a time and place that’s often glossed over. In fact,the epic series was as ambitious as Julius Caesar himself. For example, the series' creators had planned to relocate to Egypt for seasons three and four, which were later shoehorned into the show’s sophomore outing.
The fact that the series had so much more ground to cover — and that it intended to do so with a keen eye for detail — makesRome’s cancelation sting nearly two decades later.
Of course,the need to compressRome’s timeline into one 12-episode arc led to other narrative hiccups. For starters, the compelling power struggle between Mark Antony (James Purefoy) and Gaius Octavian (Simon Woods) in the wake of Caesar’s assassination was cut short so that the remaining episodes could cover the Battle of Actium and Mark Antony and Cleopatra’s (Lyndsey Marshal) deaths. The fact that the series had so much more ground to cover — and that it intended to do so with a keen eye for detail — makesRome’s cancelation sting nearly two decades later.
What History Experts Have Said About Rome’s Accuracy
Rome Stands Out From Other Sword-And-Sandal Epics
AlthoughRomefabricates things, it’s also very accuratein other ways — and experts are quick to point out both truths. Recently, one historiancalled the canceled HBO series a “timeless classic,“praising its “brilliant” depiction of Roman legionaries, from their legendary discipline down to the details of their armor. For a show that billed itself as an accurate depiction of true events, this kind of admiration is stunning. But again,it reiterates just how unfortunateRome’s untimely cancelation was, especially in hindsight.
Despite its tragic cancelation,Rome’s high production value set a standard for future TV shows.
FromRometoGladiator,acclaimed sword-and-sandal epics still make historical missteps. Someexperts have called outRome’s battle inaccuracies, for example. However, even amid those criticisms, the show stands out in a crowded field of overly polished Hollywood fare. Unlike other genre entries,Romealways balanced its real-life history and dramatized narrative well, creating something both vivid and endlessly entertaining.
Sources:NextTV,SlashFilm
Rome
Rome is a historical drama television series that aired from 2005 to 2007. The show is set in the 1st century BC and follows the lives of two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, as they navigate the complexities of ancient Roman politics and warfare.
