Gladiator Frenemies: Moe Hashim and Johannes Haukur Johannesson on “Those About to Die”
In a recent interview with Arab News, British-Yemeni actor Moe Hashim from “Ted Lasso” and Iceland’s Johannes Haukur Johannesson from “Succession” discussed their roles as gladiator frenemies in the new swords-and-sandal series “Those About to Die,” now streaming in the Middle East on Starzplay.
Legendary Cast and Classic Inspiration
Set in Rome in 79 A.D., the action-packed series features Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty. The show is inspired by Daniel Mannix’s classic non-fiction book of the same name.
Unique Characters and Gritty Storytelling
Hashim portrays Kwame, a lion tracker turned gladiator who must fight for survival every day. Reflecting on his role, Hashim expressed excitement about representing a lesser-known character from the Roman Empire.
Johannesson plays a Norse gladiator who befriends Kwame in the arena. He was drawn to the show’s exploration of humanity and friendship amidst the brutal world of gladiators.
Directorial Debut of Roland Emmerich
The series marks the television directorial debut of blockbuster director Roland Emmerich, known for films like “Moonfall” and “Independence Day.” Johannesson praised Emmerich’s intense and focused approach to filmmaking.
The actors also shared personal experiences with Emmerich, bonding over dinners in Rome and discussing the director’s illustrious career.