BBC's graphic view of Roman life

by MATT BORN, Daily Mail

Last updated at 12:57 18 October 2005


It is one of the most ambitious and expensive dramas the BBC has produced - and also one of the most violent and sexually explicit.

The Corporation is preparing for a wave of controversy over its decision to broadcast the 11-part series Rome on BBC2 at 9pm - immediately after the watershed.

Should the show be screened later in the evening? Vote here.

The series, which charts the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of Julius Caesar, has been made in conjunction with HBO, the American concern behind hits such as The Sopranos and Sex and the City.

Within ten minutes of the opening credits, the first episode features an explicit sex scene. There are then three more - including a rape - in the same episode.

It also has scenes of full frontal nudity, crucifixions, gruesome battles, assassinations, a beheading and a graphic animal sacrifice.

Jane Tranter, the head of BBC drama, defended the scheduling, saying the 9pm slot was "absolutely justified" and claimed that it painted a realistic picture of ancient Rome.

'Grown-up broadcasters'

"BBC2 and HBO - these are grown-up broadcasters," she said following a preview screening. "Period dramas often tend to soften the edges. But we're hoping Rome will push all sorts of boundaries.

"Every time there is sex or violence it is used to tell the story. It's never gratuitous. It's there because that is how Rome was."

However, the scheduling is likely to put the BBC at loggerheads with the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

It has expressed concern that broadcasters have been treating the 9pm watershed as an "unduly abrupt" cut off point and warned there should be a gradual transition to more adult content. But Miss Tranter yesterday ruled out showing Rome at a later slot.

"There will be plenty of on-air trails and content announcements beforehand," she said. "Nobody will be under the misapprehension they're about to watch Dr Who."

Enlarge   Rome

The series tells the story of of the fall of Republican Rome and the creation of the Empire during the years 52-44BC from the perspective of two legionnaires - played by Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson - who become embroiled in the intrigue.

Among the British stars are Ciaran Hinds as Julius Caesar, James Purefoy as Mark Antony, Tobias Menzies as Brutus and Polly Walker as Atia, Caesar's scheming niece.

The producers spent five years developing the series which was filmed in Rome. While they have been keen to claim that the sex and violence make the programme "authentic", critics have pointed out that they have also taken liberties with the story of Caesar.

Moreover, many of the characters have decidedly modern outlooks - Cleopatra is portrayed as a "druggy waif" - and there is none of the homosexuality that was commonplace in ancient Rome.

That has prompted accusations that the producers were happy to ditch accuracy rather than antagonise viewers, particularly in America.

But Bruno Heller, who wrote the series, said: "There's a difference between accuracy and authenticity. It's a drama and it's meant to be enjoyed by the audience."

£62million budget

Rome has cost more than £62million to make, with the BBC contributing about £10million - the largest co-production in its history. The first episode will be shown on Wednesday, November 2 and the Corporation has already signed up to make a second series.

Polly Walker admitted she was "a bit embarrassed" by her sex scenes. "But I did it and I have to stand by it," she added. "It was part of the character.

"I hope my family doesn't get too embarrassed by it. I've got a 12-year-old boy and it's not suitable for him to be watching his mother full frontal."

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