Big Historical TV Hit with 96% Tomatometer Was Canceled by HBO Because of The Sopranos

A gripping plot, superb acting, thought-out dialog, an amazing ability to hold the audience's attention, sex, violence, and struggle for power – Game of Thrones was famous for all of this, but was it the first of its kind?

Perhaps in every genre there is the series that was unfairly closed at the most interesting moment. For fans of science fiction, Firefly became such a wound in the heart, and for fans of historical dramas, there is Rome, the return of which most connoisseurs of the genre dream of.

As it happens, Rome has only two seasons. But even that is enough to appreciate it.

Rome Was Game of Thrones’ Predecessor

Even before Game of Thrones, HBO and the BBC tried the "sex, blood and political intrigue" formula with Rome, which was released in 2005. And the historical period was more appropriate than ever: the Roman Empire just after the Gallic War; Guy Julius Caesar returns to his homeland, where a civil war breaks out between the party of the plebs and the party of the aristocracy.

The historical drama about the rulers of ancient Rome and the successful adaptation of George R.R. Martin's novels have a lot in common: some of the producers and actors, for example.

Ciarán Hinds was Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones and Julius Caesar in Rome, Indira Varma was Ellaria Sand and Niobe respectively, and Tobias Menzies played the roles of Edmure Tully and Brutus.

The abundance of real historical figures, from Cleopatra to Brutus, does not turn into a boring costume show, thanks to explicit scenes, obscene language and rivers of blood.

Rome Was a Gripping Historical Drama Based on Real Events

Although Rome does not claim to be absolutely historically accurate, fans always praise it for its closeness to the real state of affairs – at least as we know it from the descriptions we have inherited from ancient Romans. The creators of the series tried to choose truth over action.

Besides, there was enough bloodshed, betrayal, military conflicts and unexpected plot twists in the real history of the nascent Roman Empire.

Rome Was Canceled After Season 2, And Part of the Blame is on The Sopranos

The first season of Rome had a total budget of $100 million – an episode cost an impressive $9 million. By the end of the second season, HBO's contract with the BBC had expired, and renewing production would have been too expensive.

In addition, HBO management believed that Rome owed its good viewership ratings to The Sopranos, which ran just before the historical show on the cable network.

So the project fell victim to its own ambitions, and the seasons devoted to Egypt and the appearance of the Messiah never happened.

Rome is the Perfect Choice to Start a Historical Drama Journey

Rome holds an important place in the heart of every fan of the series – its audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, even after almost twenty years, stands at a rare 96%.

Moreover, Rome has undoubtedly played a vital part in the development of historical drama in general. A big budget, an impressive degree of authenticity, and the ability to reach a mass audience with such a serious and not-so-popular subject – Rome started a TV revolution at the time of its premiere.

For this reason, Rome remains the series that is most recommended to those who want to get acquainted with historical dramas. Experienced history fans know that two seasons of Rome won't be enough, and you'll probably continue to explore the genre trying to satisfy your hunger for historical dramas. And you will not regret the journey.