“Timeless Classic”: HBO’s 2-Season Historical Epic Praised By Experts Was Canceled Way Too Soon

There’s no doubt that HBO’s Rome, a well-received historical epic that was praised by experts, was canceled way too soon. Set in Ancient Rome during the 1st century BC, Rome centers 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 Empire under Julius Caesar’s (Ciarán Hinds) ambitious rule. Rome‘s characters also 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, Rome was lauded by critics, historians, and audiences alike. However, despite all the praise, Emmy nominations, and surges in viewership that Rome garnered 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 since Rome debuted, long-time fans and newcomers alike are still frustrated by HBO’s decision to 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 for Rome‘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 (via NextTV). 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.

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,” Rome was a massive undertaking (via SlashFilm). One of the most expensive TV series ever, Rome wasn’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, Rome is better than Spartacus and 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.

Of course, the need to compress Rome‘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 — makes Rome‘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

Although Rome fabricates things, it’s also very accurate in other ways — and experts are quick to point out both truths. Recently, one historian called 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 unfortunate Rome‘s untimely cancelation was, especially in hindsight.

From Rome to Gladiator, acclaimed sword-and-sandal epics still make historical missteps. Some experts have called out Rome‘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, Rome always balanced its real-life history and dramatized narrative well, creating something both vivid and endlessly entertaining.

Sources: NextTV, SlashFilm