Derek Jacobi: PBS’ ‘I, Claudius’ Still Captivates With its Taut Drama (DAILY BEAST)

AUTHOR Jace Lacob
Mar 27, 2012 4:45 AM EDT

Thirty-five years ago, PBS captivated audiences with the blood-and-sex-laden ancient-Roman soap I Claudius, which is still influential. A new DVD version comes out Tuesday.I, Claudius celebrates the 35th anniversary of its U.S. broadcast this year.

A rapt and devoted audience consumed this spellbinding ancient-Rome period drama when it first aired in 1976 on the BBC in the U.K., and in 1977 on PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre.

Starring Derek Jacobi as the titular character and featuring some of the best boldface names in British acting circles, the Emmy Award–winning show—which ran 12 episodes and is today being released as a remastered five-disc DVD box set—is a multigenerational saga about the emperors of ancient Rome and the conspiracies, intrigues, murders, and madness that stood in their shadows.


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