Ray Stevenson (second from left) and Kevin McKidd (third from right) as soldiers in the first season of Rome, which THR called “simply amazing” for its production standards. It won four Emmys in 2006. RGR Collection/Alamy Stock Photo If there are two things the Emmys love, they’re HBO and period dramas. That’s as true today as it was 20 years ago, when the premium cable network led the pack with 26 Emmy wins, including nine for its Helen Mirren-starring miniseries Elizabeth I and four for Rome. The latter, a historical drama that chronicled the downfall of Julius Caesar and the ensuing political battles, eschewed “Hollyrome” to feature the ancient capital’s grit with sedation-free surgery, realistic crucifixions and nobles having sex in front of slaves. The BBC co-produced the $100 million gamble that spent seven years in development before it aired a first season of 12 episodes. Given the stakes, a media consensus formed that the show had a mandate to repeat the appeal of The Sopranos, but HBO’s then-CEO Chris Albrecht pushed back, telling THR, “The biggest challenge for HBO is honestly not re-creating the success of Sopranos. It’s continuing to grow at double-digit profit margins each year,” which would require developing ways to generate revenue beyond subscriptions.
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Albrecht proved wise to avoid linking financial success to Rome‘s potential when the show failed to match The Sopranos‘ performance. Still, Rome received wide praise for its authenticity, detailed sets and costumes. April Ferry, the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, said her team used natural materials like cotton, linen, silk and wool to create more than 4,000 costumes, each custom-dyed on set at Cinecittà Studios in, naturally, Rome. They outfitted 250 soldiers in chain-mail tunics that weighed 36 pounds each and used 1,250 pairs of shoes and sandals, dressing over 100 people for the scene where Caesar triumphantly returns to Rome. “Those kinds of days are really gratifying,” Ferry told THR at the time. “You think, ‘Oh my God. I did all of those costumes?’ ”
The first season also received Emmys for its visual effects, hairstyling and art direction. Yet the show was canceled after two seasons. In a striking coincidence shortly thereafter, Rome‘s sets at Cinecittà, like the series’ namesake city, were destroyed in a fire.
This story first appeared in a June stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
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