Raising Standards

James Purefoy and Kevin McKidd interview

In the final episode of Raising Standards we speak to James Purefoy (Mark Antony) and Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus). Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of

2.10: De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)

Antony and Cleopatra are the ultimate livers, Octavian Caesar has his triumph in Rome, and Vorenus and Pullo reunite for the final time. Raising Standards, an occasional

Bruno Heller interview

In this interview we speak to Bruno Heller, the creator, main writer and show runner of HBO's Rome. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO’s Rome, host

Alice Henley interview

In this interview we speak to Alice Henley who portrayed Livia, about stepping in to a well established cast in what was one her first roles on television. Raising Stand

2.09: Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus

Octavian and Antony get in a tussle over the grain supply, Atia and Octavia get the cold shoulder in a hot climate, and Vorenus plays ball, Pullo deals with the people, P

2.08: A Necessary Fiction (with Carl Franklin and Todd Ellis Kessler)

Octavian pushes back against promiscuity and the tenuous alliance with Mark Antony finally unravels, over both women and money. Both Vorenus and Pullo lose everything the

2.07: Death Mask

Servilia takes out a final curse on Atia, Timon struggles between faith and family, and Pullo’s love life becomes significantly more complicated. Raising Standards, an o

2.06: Philippi

The triumvirate is formed, Vorenus and Pullo get their hands very dirty, Cicero pays the ultimate price for his rhetoric, and Brutus and Cassius make the final stand of t

Coral Amiga interview

In this interview we speak to Coral Amiga, who portrayed Vorena the Elder, daughter of Vorenus. Across two seasons she gave viewers an excellent insight into the at times

2.05: Heroes of the Republic

Octavian becomes both consul and a problem for the senate, Vorenus settles down to a life of familial bliss, and Antony grows one heck of a beard. Raising Standards, an

2.04: Testudo et Lepus (with Todd Ellis Kessler)

Vorenus goes in search of his enslaved children, Timon has a change of heart and character, Octavian levels up, and Atia and Servilia escalate their feud. We are also jo

2.03: These Being the Words of Marcus Tullius Cicero (with Alan Poul)

Vorenus begins gang warfare in the Aventine, Servilia steps up her feud with Atia, Cicero makes a stand the only way he knows how, and Antony violates a household plant.

2.02: Son of Hades

Antony becomes disgruntled with the tedious administrative duties of running an Empire. Cleopatra makes an unexpected appearance, pushing for the legitimacy of her son by

Lorcan Cranitch interview

In this interview we speak to Lorcan Cranitch, who portrayed crime boss of the Aventine Erastes Fulmen. Lorcan has had a long acting career both on and off the screen,

2.01: Passover

Caesar is dead and gets cremated, Niobe is dead and gets cremated, and the political machinations of Rome continue... Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of

Season One Wrap-Up

Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith take a fond look at the first season HBO's Rome.

1.12: Kalends of February

Lucius Vorenus and Niobe finally get some semblance of happiness before it is cruelly snatched away from them, Julius Caesar finally gets some semblance of happiness befo

Ray Stevenson interview

In this interview we speak to Legionary Pullo himself, Ray Stevenson. Ray’s performance as Pullo was the heart of Rome, and he bought a loveable roguish every-man quality

Lee Boardman interview

Lee Boardman played the Timon across two seasons of Rome, a character who grew in more prominence and bought some much needed diversity to the ethnic melting pot of the R

Ian McNeice interview

Ian McNeice played the Newsreader in Rome, a character who bought both a flourish and much needed exposition to the Roman forum!