Those About To Die is praised by fans who say they are 'hooked already' and compare it to Game Of Thrones

New drama series Those About To Die received mostly positive reviews from fans on Friday as some compared it to Game Of Thrones while others described it as a 'lower budget Spartacus'.

The Peacock show, which aired its first episode on July 18, is an epic sword-and-sandal television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner. 

The series, which stars Anthony Hopkins, was inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 book Those About To Die which also was the inspiration for the Gladiator film starring Russell Crowe, 58, as Maximus. 

However, upon its release date, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions on the latest series, with some claiming they were not fans. 

One fan wrote: 'I was really excited for Those About to Die, but it's a bit rough... it feels like a bigger budget Xena/Hercules or a lower budget Spartacus.'; 'Just 10-hour binge-watched Peacock's new series "Those About to Die" and I think it was good. The transition between scenes could use some work. It's got potential as long as the writing and plots don't get botched in later seasons.' 

New drama series Those About To Die received mostly positive reviews from fans on Friday as some compared it to Game Of Thrones while others described it as a 'lower budget Spartacus'

The Peacock drama, which aired its first episode on July 18, is an epic sword-and-sandal television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner

The series was inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 book Those About To Die which also was the inspiration for the Gladiator film starring Russell Crowe, 58, (seen) as Maximus 

While others claimed to love the show and even compared the open title sequence to the iconic HBO series Game Of Thrones. 

One fan wrote: 'Going in on Those About To Die. The open title sequence is brilliant (very Game Of Thrones)'; 'Those About To Die got me hooked already they catching lions with nets.'; 'Those About To Die (flame emoji)'; 'Those About To Die is GOOD ASF'. 

The series stars Welsh actor Anthony, 86, as the ageing emperor Vespasian as well as Iwan Rheon, Jojo Macari, and Tom Hughes. 

It was announced last year that Anthony had joined the cast of the Peacock drama. 

Vespasian was a Roman emperor who reigned from AD 69 to 79 and during his rule the Flavian Amphitheatre was built, better known today as the Roman Colosseum. 

Those About To Die will be set in the 'complex and corrupt' world of gladiatorial competition and will follow an ensemble of characters from all layers of Roman society. 

An official synopsis described the ageing Vespasian as 'despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get.'

Anthony won an Oscar in 2021 for his performance in The Father and also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in the 1991 film Silence Of The Lambs.

However, upon its release date, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions on the latest series, with some claiming they were not fans

While others claimed to love the show and even compared the open title sequence to the iconic HBO series Game Of Thrones

Roland directed, co-wrote and co-produced the 2022 sci-fi disaster film Moonfall which was a box-office bomb after it grossed only $67 million worldwide.

The film starring Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson was released in February 2022 and was panned by critics.

Anthony began his acting career in the 1960s and made his film debut in the 1967 British short drama The White Bus.

He was knighted in 1993 by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.

He has also portrayed Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starred in the HBO series Westworld.