Despite being one of HBO’s most popular TV shows, Rome was cancelled after two short seasons. Devoted viewers were outraged that the historical drama could be cut so short. Now, if the series’ co-creator Bruno Heller has his way, Rome will rise again.
A co-production mainly between HBO and the BBC, Rome showcases the often violent transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. While past dramatizations of this period have focused almost exclusively on the political leaders of the day, much of Rome’s screen time is devoted to two common soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). The large cast also includes Indira Varma, David Bamber, Chiara Mastalli, Manfredi Aliquo, Suzanne Bertish, Max Pirkis, Lee Boardman, Esther Hall, and Ciaran Hinds.
Rome ran for two seasons and 22 episodes on HBO, debuting on August 28, 2005. The premiere attracted 3.8 million viewers and lots of positive reviews. A few weeks later, the series was renewed for a second season on HBO. The sophomore year finally debuted on January 14, 2007 and, for the most part, maintained its first year audience numbers.
Unfortunately, several months before Rome’s second season began airing, HBO announced that there wouldn’t be a third year. Rome was originally envisioned as a mini-series but, after network execs saw the quality of the scripts, they decided to make it an ongoing series. The show’s high price tag — about $100 million for the first 12 episodes — made it impossible to continue past the second year. Some HBO execs have since admitted that letting the historical drama end so soon was likely a mistake.
The last episode of Rome aired on March 25, 2007. The series’ creator, Heller (who also created CBS’ new hit show, The Mentalist), tells James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter that he learned about the series’ impending demise halfway through the writing of the second season. The news caused him to have to change his plans, including curtailing storylines for the Roman leaders to meet a certain key religious leader. He notes, “The second [season] was going to end with death of Brutus. Third and fourth season would be set in Egypt. Fifth was going to be the rise of the messiah in Palestine. But because we got the heads-up that the second season would be it, I telescoped the third and fourth season into the second one, which accounts for the blazing speed we go through history near the end.”
Unsatisfied with the show’s short run, Heller has been working on plans to continue the series. In a February 2008 interview, Stevenson remarked that Heller and fellow co-creator Bill MacDonald were in talks for a Rome movie. Heller had been working on the script but had to stop because of the writers strike.
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Likely fuelled by HBO’s success with the Sex and the City movie and interest in a big-screen version of Arrested Development, the project is still on Heller’s to-do list. He wouldn’t share any story details but teased Hibberd, “It’s moving along. It’s not there until it is there. I would love to round that show off.”
But wait, didn’t one of the two main characters die in the last episode? Not quite. Though McKidd’s Vorenus was badly wounded and seemed to die on his deathbed, the show’s creator left himself an out. Heller says that he intentionally didn’t show the character’s body being sent to the afterlife. Heller says, “It was very deliberate that we saw him drifting away but didn’t see him atop a funeral pyre.” As McKidd once joked to Stevenson, “I never closed my eyes!”
Like Vorenus, it seems like the series’ demise isn’t quite as permanent as expected. Will Rome actually rise again? Stay tuned! 
Image courtesy HBO.
legion THIRTEEEENNNNNNNNNNN!!!! Bring back Titus Pullo!
I’ve got an idea. Most wont like. I’d like to know how many fans you reckon there are who likes ROME. What kind of donation would each fan have to give to raise 100M. Will that donation act in a manner that will benifit the doner. Could something like this work? Nah…. Not enough FANS!!! Shame hbo
Its sad rome had to be cut short…it probably the best history series i have ever watched. I just wish someone could get arround the dilemna and continue with the series.
Thirteeeen!
I was a fantastic program, definitely bring it back. Loved Ray Stevenson
Rome was the most addictive show I have ever seen. The writing, direction and production values were second to none. It breaks my heart that it was cancelled, there was still so much to cover. BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!
out standing
Please, please, PLEASE bring back Rome. The original plans for the 3rd-5th seasons sound absolutely amazing. This show was literally the only thing I liked on HBO, none of the series’ since have been even remotely interesting to me.
Rome is an absolutely fabulous show. I’d give anything to be associated with it. Great work by everyone involved, especially the writing team. Please go forward with the movie.
Good for you, Matt; I canceled my HBO for the exact same reason and you’re right; someone should have been fired for it. What happened to rising above the rest by airing GOOD shows, instead of just worshipping the Almighty Dollar? Sure; expensive sets, people, costumes etc, but damned good show, several notches above the rest. DVDs alone made HBO quite a few bucks but alas, Rome was canceled, while shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars go strong. It’s unfortunate that TV companies would rather keep you ignorant and stupid, than stimuate the gray matter and teach… Read more »
This was one of the best series in a long time.
The reason I canceled HBO and will NEVER purchase it again is because of this
Great show and someone at HBO should be fired for canceling it
YES! This is the best news I’ve had in a long while. I’m keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that this movie happens. I’ll be one of the first in line.
This program was fantastic and I miss watching it still. Thank goodness for the DVDs!
BRING BACK ROME!
Quite simply the series 1 and 2 of ROME was
The best Thing I have watched , Ever
YEAH! Bring it on! I thought the end seemed kind of rushed … Vorenus wounded badly enough to die, but then able to survive a month’s journey? Seems contradictory, what?
Too bad they can’t bring back the delicious Niobe … hmmmm, long lost twin sister, maybe? A pretty hackneyed plot device for sure, how about an extended flashback? However it might be done, I for one would roll my eyes, but then just accept it if meant having the terrific Indira Varma back. Damn, I hated it when they killed her off. Vorenus, you a**hole, she thought you were DEAD!
Rome was an extraordinary show,however the show made some bad choices in the cast like cleopatra.I expected to see more explicit sex scenes too considering that sex was so important in Rome.
i hope to see the movie soon.