Channel 5 announced the upcoming premiere of two new productions that delve into the realms of history and human endurance. The network will produce "Emperor: The Rise and Fall of a Dynasty” and "Endurance: Race for the Nile."
Co-produced by October Films and GroupM Motion Entertainment, and commissioned by Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual for Channel 5, “Emperor: The Rise & Fall of a Dynasty” is a 3 x 60’ series to be produced by Bob Marsden, with Adam Bullmore and Mike Warner as Executive Producers. Deep Sehgal serves as Executive Producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Told through the eyes of Livia Druisilla, the documentary will narrate the saga of five power-hungry rulers - Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero - each embroiled in a brutal struggle for supremacy, driven by the primal urges of sex and violence.
Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5 said: “Forget everything you learnt about the Romans in school; this fresh and unique take on the most infamous, bloody and depraved period of Roman history is as shocking as it is gripping. While the men strutted about on the world stage, playing at running the Empire, the formidable women of Rome were the real power players… ruthlessly plotting, scheming, and disposing of their enemies at will. Cross them at your peril.”
Adam Bullmore, Executive Producer added: “With its focus on character and very recognisable human motivations and temptations, we hope Emperor will be hugely entertaining, more like Succession than a traditional history of Rome. The characters, with their flaws and venal struggles for first power and then survival, feels incredibly modern and relevant, as if they’ve just posted their latest outrage on X.”
Deep Sehgal, Executive Producer, GroupM Motion Entertainment stated: “Depictions of Roman rulers and rulebreakers have entertained audiences for years, and Emperor continues to explore the most captivating moments from such a pivotal time in Roman history.”
Following the critical and viewer success of their BAFTA nominated series “Endurance: Race to the Pole,” “Endurance: Race for the Nile” will see Ben Fogle and Dwayne Fields step back in time to re-explore the intense and gripping story of the indomitable, idealistic and egotistical Victorian explorers who risked it all to find The Source of the Nile. The series was commissioned by Denise Seneviratne, Commissioning Editor of Factual for Channel 5 and will be co-produced by October Films and Krempelwood.
Ben Fogle mentioned: “I cannot wait to be reunited with Dwayne and step back in time for another huge adventure. This isn’t just a journey down the Nile; it’s a deep dive into the minds of the Victorian adventurers who risked everything in pursuit of the ultimate prize – the elusive Source of the Nile. It’s a story of ambition, rivalry, and resilience, and I can’t wait for viewers to experience this incredible adventure alongside them. The reaction to Race to the Pole was like nothing I could have imagined and I can’t wait to join October and Channel 5 to bring help bring this timeless tale back to life.”
Dwayne Fields added: “Looking forward to teaming up with Ben again and heading out on another great adventure, the story of ‘The search for the source of Nile’. This is going to be completely different to the last series but can I can’t wait to bring this epic adventure to life!’’
Denise Seneviratne, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5 concluded: “Ben, Dwayne and the entire October Films team did an incredible job bringing Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen’s South Pole expedition back to life - this next series will push the boundaries further still. You might think you know the story of the race for the Nile - wait until you see it told like this. Channel 5 viewers will be immersed in the visceral experience of these Victorian explorers with blood, sweat and fear.”