Controversial TV series Rome
October 23rd 2005, 12:50 Jeff Sela
The BBC and HBO have produced a controversial TV series called Rome, which charts the career of Julius Caesar. Some people are unhappy that it will be shown at 9pm, immediately after the watershed. Ofcom has indicated that the watershed should not be ‘abrupt’, but that broadcasts should gradually build from suitable for children to only suitable for adults.
Apparently the first episode of the new series—which will be shown on November 2nd in the UK, and has already been shown in America—features several sex scenes, including a rape, as well as a lot of violence. The first explicit sex is 10 minutes into the episode. The BBC say that it's justified because the sex and violence is a realistic depiction of Roman life, and is an integral part of the story.
Although filmed in Rome itself, the Italians are unhappy with the result. They will instead be showing a cut version which they consider to be more appropriate for Italian audiences. Whether this is because they think the BBC/HBO version is too explicit, or because they don't agree with the depiction of their history, isn't clear.
