HBO Should Bring Back Rome Instead Of More Game Of Thrones Shows

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Before there was Game of Thrones, HBO created Rome – a large-scale historical drama. While the original series was ambitious and produced with the BBC, it was ultimately too costly to continue. Now, with the popularity of Game of Thrones waning, HBO could bring Rome back as a new, big-budget epic – and they’re now financially able to do so.

HBO’s series Rome aimed to capture the grand scale of films like Gladiator. It prioritized dramatic spectacle over historical accuracy, pushing the boundaries of violence that HBO was already known for.

Even though it didn’t last forever, the historical drama Rome paved the way for the success of Game of Thrones. Now that we’re getting prequel series for Thrones, it’s time to revisit Rome.

“Rome” Was HBO’s Epic Predecessor To “Game Of Thrones”; Why It Should Come Back 20 Years Later

Rome’s Spectacular Take On History Is Due For A Renaissance

Rome debuted in 2005 at a time when HBO was changing. Shows that had made HBO a major force in television, such as The Sopranos and The Wire, were nearing their ends. Popular genre shows like True Blood, the more flamboyant Boardwalk Empire (inspired by The Sopranos), and the phenomenon that would become Game of Thrones hadn’t yet premiered – they were still several years away.

Compared to most TV shows at the time, Rome was incredibly ambitious in its scope and production value. The action-adventure series dramatized the turbulent final years of the Roman Republic, featuring well-known historical figures like Julius Caesar and the future Emperor Augustus. Despite its potential for widespread popularity, the show was cut short after only two seasons.

Despite ending years ago, Rome has a lot of potential for a revival. A new season could jump forward in time with a fresh cast, or the show could explore earlier periods of Roman history as a prequel. Another option would be to turn Rome into a series of standalone stories. There are many ways to bring the show back, and it’s possible audiences would be more receptive to it now.

HBO Could Do “Rome” On A Scale Today That Was Unimaginable In 2005; Why It’s Worth A Modern Revival

Rome Could Be An Alternative To More Game Of Thrones

The first Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, is likely to conclude after four seasons. The upcoming series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is planned as a longer-running show, using shorter, less expensive episodes to produce. HBO is also working on other Thrones-related projects, but should also consider investing in completely new content.

Reviving Rome would be a great opportunity to finally tell the story properly, meeting today’s television expectations. The success of Showtime’s Spartacus shows there’s still a strong interest in historical action dramas. If a new Rome was made with a budget similar to Game of Thrones, focusing on large-scale visuals and spectacle, it could be a massive hit.

As a big TV fan, it’s amazing to think that even a typical HBO show now gets more viewers than the original run of Rome did. Things have just changed so much! HBO really needs to find another massive hit like Game of Thrones, but something totally new. Honestly, I think bringing Rome back could be a brilliant, and unexpected, way to do just that.

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2026-02-22 18:31