STRICTLY UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01AM ON TUESDAY 20TH AUGUST

CHANNEL 5 TO DELVE INTO A CENTURY OF TURBULENT ROMAN RULE WITH EMPEROR: THE RISE & FALL OF A DYNASTY FROM OCTOBER FILMS AND GROUPM MOTION ENTERTAINMENT  

Channel 5 are set to delve in to the most tumultuous era in Roman history as they retell the stories of the cuthroat and turbulent years of the first five Emperors and the powerful women behind them, from the perspective of Livia Drusilla, played by none other than Dame Siân Phillips, who brought Livia to life in the 1970s smash-hit classic I, Claudius. Told as a thrilling historical documentary, this brand new 3 x 60’ series Emperor: The Rise & Fall of a Dynasty is an October Films and GroupM Motion Entertainment co-production and was commissioned by Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual for Channel 5.

The assassination of Julius Caesar plunged Rome into chaos, leading to the rise of one of history’s most notorious and scandal-ridden dynasties. Over the next century, this twisted and incestuous family relentlessly pursued power, establishing the world's first hereditary dictatorship. For the first time in history women altered the Western World and the puppet master behind these power games was one ruthless woman, Livia Drusilla, the wife of Augustus and matriarch of the Caesar clan. This arch manipulator will go to any length to ensure the survival of her dynasty.  

Told through the eyes of Livia Druisilla, Emperor: The Rise & Fall of a Dynasty will narrate the saga of five power-hungry rulers - Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero - each embroiled in a brutal struggle for supremacy, driven by the primal urges of sex and violence. 

Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5 said: “Forget everything you learnt about the Romans in school; this fresh and unique take on the most infamous, bloody and depraved period of Roman history is as shocking as it is gripping. While the men strutted about on the world stage, playing at running the Empire, the formidable women of Rome were the real power players… ruthlessly plotting, scheming, and disposing of their enemies at will. Cross them at your peril.”

Adam Bullmore, Executive Producer added: “With its focus on character and very recognisable human motivations and temptations, we hope Emperor will be hugely entertaining, more like Succession than a traditional history of Rome. The characters, with their flaws and venal struggles for first power and then survival, feels incredibly modern and relevant, as if they’ve just posted their latest outrage on X.”

Deep Sehgal, Executive Producer, GroupM Motion Entertainment said: “Depictions of Roman rulers and rulebreakers have entertained audiences for years, and Emperor continues to explore the most captivating moments from such a pivotal time in Roman history.”

Emperor: The Rise & Fall of a Dynasty is a 3 x 60’ series commissioned by Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5. The series will be Produced by Bob Marsden, with Adam Bullmore and Mike Warner as Executive Producers. Deep Sehgal serves as Executive Producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment. 

ENDS

For further enquiries please contact:

Hannah Allan  | hannah.allan@paramount.com