Television series

Barbarians Rising

Name: Barbarians Rising
Genre: Documentary, Drama, War, History
Released: 2016
Cast: Michael Ealy, Tom Hopper, Steven Waddington, Nicholas Pinnock, Ben Batt

A four-part docu-drama that flips the Roman conquest narrative, telling the 700-year struggle through the eyes of the warriors who resisted it. Visceral battle sequences blend with expert analysis and dramatized portraits of figures like Hannibal, Spartacus, and Boudica. It's history told from the underdog perspective, dramatic without being dry, and genuinely gripping if you're tired of Rome always winning.

TVMaze rating

3.9

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you like history told through the eyes of the outsiders Rome labelled enemies, with dramatized scenes stitched to expert commentary, and you don't mind the seams showing.

Skip it if you want fully immersive drama, since the dramatized scenes sit alongside a lot of expert talk that can slow things down.

What it asks of you: Four episodes, about a hundred minutes in all: a brief sitting, but it covers seven centuries and hops quickly between them.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Last Kingdom2015

A Saxon warrior navigates the collision of pagan and Christian worlds while defending his people against Viking conquest. Shares the same appetite for gritty historical drama and the perspective of those resisting empire, with richer character development across five seasons.

But Much longer commitment than Barbarians Rising, and the mythology-heavy early episodes can feel slow if you want constant action.

Spartacus2010

A gladiator's revolt against Rome told with operatic violence and real historical stakes. One of your featured subjects gets the full dramatic treatment here, with a cast of characters whose fates genuinely matter and plotting that rewards close attention.

But The first season leans heavy on gladiator-porn aesthetics and graphic content that can feel gratuitous. Tone improves significantly after season one.

Vikings2013

Follows Norse raiders as they challenge European powers and each other. Matches Barbarians Rising's interest in how marginalized peoples fought back, with Ragnar Lothbrok as a figure who, like Hannibal, becomes legendary through resistance and cunning.

But Six seasons is a lot, and quality wavers—some arcs drag while others feel rushed. Later seasons lose sight of what made the early ones compelling.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Barbarians Rising

Gladiator2000

Russell Crowe as Maximus, a general turned slave who fights the system from within. It's the Hollywood version of resistance against Rome, visually stunning and emotionally direct. Captures that same 'underdog against empire' energy in a digestible package.

But Historically loose and occasionally melodramatic. If you want accuracy, this isn't it—if you want spectacle with heart, you'll forgive the liberties.

The Eagle2011

A Roman officer and a British slave trek into unconquered territory to recover a lost legion standard. Compact (under two hours), focused on the collision between Roman and tribal cultures, with a genuine sense of danger and respect for the 'barbarian' perspective.

But Less well-known than it deserves, which means you won't get the cultural conversation. Some find the relationship between the two leads underdeveloped.

Centurion2010

A Roman centurion hunted by Picts after a failed campaign in Scotland. Raw, efficient action filmmaking that treats the 'barbarian' fighters as skilled and intelligent, not savage. Honest about the brutality on both sides.

But Low budget shows in some scenes. The pacing is relentless but sometimes at the expense of character depth or breathing room.

I, Claudius1976

A landmark BBC drama about power, succession, and survival in Rome. Not about resistance, but essential for understanding the empire that Barbarians Rising deconstructs. Robert Graves' novel gives it moral complexity most historical dramas lack.

But Made in 1976, it looks it—slow by modern standards and heavy on dialogue. If you need constant action, this will feel like a masterclass in patience.

Rome2005

HBO's lavish series about the fall of the Republic. For context and texture—the enemy's perspective, the machine you're up against. Two seasons of stunning production and real political intrigue, ending just before the empire proper takes shape.

But Cancelled after two seasons, so it ends abruptly. Some plots feel soapy, and the ensemble cast can be hard to track at first.