TV series

I, Claudius

Name: I, Claudius
Released: 1976
Cast: Derek Jacobi

1976· 1 season· 55 min episodesTV-14★ 7.8Ended

On BBC Two — From London Films Productions · BBC

Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.

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Synopsis

Acclaimed blackly comic historical drama series. Set amidst a web of power, corruption and lies, it chronicles the reigns of the Roman emperors - Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and finally Claudius.

Themes

rome, italy based on novel or book roman empire emperor manipulation ambition ancient rome biography murder betrayal dark comedy miniseries period drama historical

Episodes

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E1 A Touch of MurderNext upSep 20, 1976 · 90 min · ★ 6.5
Synopsis
Livia, the scheming wife of Augustus, seeks to disinherit her husband's grand-children in favour of her own son Tiberius.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), Brian Blessed (Augustus), Frances White (Julia), Ian Ogilvy (Drusus), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia), Renu Setna (Musa), Sheila Ruskin (Vipsania)
E2 Waiting in the WingsSep 27, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.4
Synopsis
Livia, wife of Emperor Augustus plots against his daughter Julia and manages to convince him to bring her son Tiberius back from exile.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), Brian Blessed (Augustus), Kevin McNally (Castor), Frances White (Julia), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia), Kevin Stoney (Thrasyllus), Simon MacCorkindale (Lucius)
E3 What Shall We Do About Claudius?Oct 4, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.3
Synopsis
Livia has engineered the downfall of Julia, who has been banished. Tiberius is recalled to Rome and is joint heir with Postumus. Poor stumbling, stuttering Claudius finds a friend in Herod, king of the Jews.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), Brian Blessed (Augustus), James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), Fiona Walker (Agrippina), Kevin McNally (Castor), David Robb (Germanicus), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia)
E4 Poison is QueenOct 11, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 7.6
Synopsis
The Imperial Army on the Rhine has been wiped out and Tiberius sent to avenge the defeat, followed later by Germanicus. Livia has discredited Postumus, who has been banished. Augustus has been feeling unwell, but is avoiding suspicions of poisoning by eating figs from his own garden.
Guest stars: Brian Blessed (Augustus), Patrick Stewart (Sejanus), David Robb (Germanicus), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia), Patricia Quinn (Livilla), John Castle (Postumus), Carol Gillies (Camilla)
E5 Some JusticeOct 18, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
As Augustus learned of Livia's plot against Postumus, she took action which resulted in Tiberius becoming emperor. The situation in the East now threatens Tiberius's position.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), Fiona Walker (Agrippina), Kevin McNally (Castor), Patrick Stewart (Sejanus), David Robb (Germanicus), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia)
E6 Queen of HeavenOct 25, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.3
Synopsis
Germanicus has been murdered in Antioch and his wife Agrippina is convinced Tiberius ordered the killing. Livia has discovered that Caligula helped to poison his father. While Tiberius's perversions have become notorious, his right-hand man Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, gathers more power for himself, including a marriage alliance with Claudius.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), Fiona Walker (Agrippina), Kevin McNally (Castor), Patrick Stewart (Sejanus), John Hurt (Caligula), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia)
E7 Reign of TerrorNov 1, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.2
Synopsis
With Tiberius retired to Capri, Sejanus plans to tighten his grip on Rome and divorces his wife so he can marry Livilla. But he also has powerful enemies and his attempts to consolidate power set in motion a bloody chain of events.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), Fiona Walker (Agrippina), Patrick Stewart (Sejanus), John Hurt (Caligula), George Baker (Tiberius), Patricia Quinn (Livilla), Kevin Stoney (Thrasyllus), John Rhys-Davies (Macro)
E8 Zeus, By Jove!Nov 8, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.4
Synopsis
Claudius has high hopes of a return to a Republic when Caligula insanely proclaims himself a god and his sister a goddess... but Rome officially accepts his divinity.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), John Hurt (Caligula), George Baker (Tiberius), John Rhys-Davies (Macro), Anne Dyson (Briseis), Lockwood West (Senator), Jon Laurimore (Lentulus)
E9 Hail Who?Nov 15, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.3
Synopsis
Caligula's erratic behaviour continues, as he makes his horse a senator and turns the palace into a brothel. Many in the Praetorian Guard grow to realise that their ruler is insane and, fearing the collapse of Rome itself, believe that something needs to be done.
Guest stars: Sheila White (Messalina), John Hurt (Caligula), Jo Rowbottom (Calpurnia), Sam Dastor (Cassius Chaerea), Norman Eshley (Marcus Vinicius), Anne Dyson (Briseis), Bernard Hill (Gratus), Lockwood West (Senator)
E10 Fool's LuckNov 22, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.3
Synopsis
Claudius is happily married, while the mad Caligula has been assassinated. To his astonishment, Claudius has been proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.
Guest stars: James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), Bernard Hepton (Pallas), Sheila White (Messalina), John Cater (Narcissus), Moira Redmond (Domitia), Sam Dastor (Cassius Chaerea), Norman Eshley (Marcus Vinicius), Bernard Hill (Gratus)
E11 A God in ColchesterNov 29, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.2
Synopsis
Claudius has ruled wisely for a year with the support of Messalina, whom he deeply loves. Convinced of her devotion, he is totally unaware that she is deceiving him.
Guest stars: James Faulkner (Herod Agrippa), Bernard Hepton (Pallas), Sheila White (Messalina), John Cater (Narcissus), Jo Rowbottom (Calpurnia), Moira Redmond (Domitia), Stuart Wilson (Silius), Nicholas Amer (Mnester)
E12 Old King LogDec 6, 1976 · 55 min · ★ 6.4
Synopsis
Almost at the end of his family history, Claudius' thoughts turn to the future of Rome.
Guest stars: Margaret Tyzack (Antonia), Brian Blessed (Augustus), Bernard Hepton (Pallas), John Cater (Narcissus), John Hurt (Caligula), George Baker (Tiberius), Siân Phillips (Livia), Freda Dowie (The Sibyl)