Caesars, The

1 9 6 8 (UK)
6 x 60 minute episodes

Pre-dating the celebrated I, Claudius by eight years, this series of six plays, based on the lives of the Emperors of Rome, aired in September and October 1968 and was one of the last great drama productions made in black and white for ITV by Granada.

After a century of being wrecked by dissension and ruinous civil wars, the Romans were willing to pay any price for peace and internal security. This happened to be the absolute rule of an Emperor-dictator – Augustus (Roland Culver).

After ruthlessly disposing of all possible rivals and enemies, Augustus’ later years were bedevilled by the question of his successor. He firmly believed that for the good of Rome, the dictatorship must continue, but he hadn’t bargained on those who followed him.

Featuring outstanding performances from famed character actor André Morell, Ralph Bates and an award-winning performance by Freddie Jones (as the stuttering Emperor Claudius), The Caesars was written and produced by Granada’s Head of Drama, Philip Mackie and directed by Derek Bennett.

Caesar Augustus
Roland Culver
Germanicus
Eric Flynn
Tiberius
André Morell
Sejanus
Barrie Ingham
Claudius
Freddie Jones
Caligula
Ralph Bates
Livia
Sonia Dresdel
Cassius Chaerea
John Paul
Caesonia
Barbara Murray
Messalina
Nicola Pagett
Agrippina
Caroline Blakiston
Calusidius
Dallas Cavell
Agrippa
Derek Newark
Vitellius
John Woodvine