Rome has built a real following in Australia on Foxtel Now and HBO Max, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV among viewers who want their action grounded in something real. Every one of its 2 seasons holds up. With 1,523 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. No filler scenes, no spinning wheels between the action. Put it on tonight on Foxtel Now and see for yourself.

Rome is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Rome understands that stakes only matter if you care who is at risk. A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic. The physicality Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson bring elevates every sequence. Across 2 seasons (2005–2007), it never lost the thread that made it worth starting. The action sequences are expensive-looking without drawing attention to their own budget — they serve the story rather than interrupting it. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Action fans who want craft and story alongside the spectacle will find exactly that in Rome. The tonal similarities to The Borgias are real, though Rome carves out its own identity quickly. Short enough to finish in a weekend, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Kevin McKidd is the obvious draw, but the supporting cast gives the action the context it needs to land. The action holds up because the character work underneath it never lets up.

Rome was cancelled in 2007, created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald — and 2 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.