WATCH: Trailer released for Those About To Die, a new series starring Anthony Hopkins

Prime video has today unveiled the trailer for Those About To Die, a historical drama series from director Roland Emmerich (Moonfall, Independence Day, Godzilla) and Academy Award-winning writer Roland Rodat (The Patriot, Saving Privtate Ryan).

Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's nonfiction opus of the same name, the series immerses viewers into the spectacular, complex and corrupt world of chariot racing and gladiatorial fights in ancient Rome.

The series features a dazzling cast, including Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, King Lear) as Emperor Vespasian, Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Tenax, Tom Hughes (The English, Victoria) as Titus Flavianus, Sara Martins (Tell No One, Death in Paradise) as Cala and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Game of Thrones) as Viggo.

Pictured: (l-r) Sara Martins as Cala, Moe Hashim as Kwame, Kyshan Wilson as Aura, Alicia Edogamhe as Jula -- (Photo by: Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

It's 79 A.D., the centre of the Roman Empire is the wealthiest city in the world, boasting a heavy influx of slave laborers from the emerging empire to take over the work. The population—bored, restless, and increasingly violent—is kept occupied mainly by two things: food and entertainment, in the form of chariot racing and gladiator fights.

"Those About to Die delves into the world of the games—a world characterized by bloodlust, greed for money, the pursuit of power, and corruption. The races at Circus Maximus are controlled by four Patrician-owned corporations, the Blue, Red, White, and Green factions, and shares in the four factions are the most valuable things in Rome," a statement reads.

Pictured: Iwan Rheon as Tenax -- (Photo by: Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

"As the taste in entertainment of the populace becomes more jaded and bloodthirsty, a specially designed stadium for gladiatorial combat is needed - the Colosseum. The scale of the stadium as well as the gladiatorial and animal combats is enormous – same as the underworld with the flourishing betting business. Underground, beneath the stands, thousands of people work and live—among them thousands who will die for the games."

Pictured: (l-r) Kyshan Wilson as Aura, Sara Martins as Cala -- (Photo by: Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

Those About To Die  launches exclusively on Prime Video UK & Ireland from 19th July. All 10 episodes will be available for Prime-members a day after the US premiere.