Actor Dimitri Leonidas takes his role preparation seriously. In preparation for his role as ancient Roman charioteer Scorpus in Peacock’s Those About to Die (all episodes now streaming), Leonidas learned how to operate a horse-drawn chariot, becoming quite the equine whisperer.
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“I spent time in stables, attending to the horses’ daily needs, cleaning, feeding them, etc.,” Leonidas shared in an interview with DSCENE. “I also had chariot training, starting with riding horse-led carriages through obstacle courses and eventually graduating to riding a four-horse chariot.”
Those About to Die’s Dimitri Leonidas Recalls Frightening Chariot Incident While On-Set
During filming, while waving to the crowd at Circus Maximus, Leonidas faced a frightening incident when one of the horses became spooked, causing all four horses to gallop uncontrollably.
“I grabbed the reins with both hands, trying to slow the horses down,” he recalled. “As we approached the turn at Circus Maximus, I had to pull with all my strength to navigate the turn and avoid a collision. It was a close call!”
What Is Those About to Die About?
Peacock describes Those About to Die as an epic drama set in the corrupt world of gladiatorial competition in Ancient Rome, exploring the business of entertaining the masses with blood and sport.
How to Watch Those About to Die
All 10 episodes of Those About to Die are now streaming exclusively on Peacock. The show was created by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Robert Rodat and executive produced by Roland Emmerich.
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Emmerich directed five episodes, with the rest helmed by Marco Kreuzpaintner. The show’s executive producers include Harald Kloser, Gianni Nunnari, and others.
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