recasting Octavian

[the_grynne]

According to this press release from the BBC dated 12 December 2006, Simon Woods (Bingley in Pride and Prejudice) will be replacing 18-year-old Max Pirkis in the role of Gaius Octavian (Caesar Augustus) in HBO/BBC co-produced drama series Rome. Since promo videos for the second season already show Pirkis as young Octavian, the switch will

Comments

[tigertrapped]

They're nothing alike but if the b&w boy is the replacement, I approve. Very nice!

[the_grynne]

Well, they both have the fair and delicate thing going - which according to what little I've read about Octavian, was actually how he was. What's better though is that Woods is a good actor! He's going to have to be to stand up to Polly Walker, Mark Purefoy, Lindsay Duncan and the rest.

[tigertrapped]

Pirkis is too pretty for my taste. That rosebud mouth leaves me cold. Woods has a strength in his face, strong lines, good nose, great mouth. That he can also act is pure gravy.

[nylonhotel]

(New to your lj, sorry for the random comment.)

Pirkis was kind of awkward, in my opinion, which was okay for Octavian as an adolescent, I suppose. I'm thrilled by the prospect of an older, more experienced actor to take on Octavian's ascent, not to mention his marriages.

[the_grynne]

Hello! Welcome to my LJ. :)

I've been imaging nightmare scenario's about the re-cast ever since I first heard of it, because Octavian is one of my favourite characters and I think Pirkis does a commendable job at playing, as you said, an awkward adolescent but with the steel forming just underneath the surface.The casting of Woods is a relief.

[nylonhotel]

I especially liked him in all the subplots with Pullo (man, Niobe's boyfriend!) but near the end of the series, like when it came to his dealings with his sister and, what, the Portentious Looks he kept throwing at Servilia, it kinda showed Pirkis' limitations. But overall he did a credible job over the series. I wonder if there's going to be a big time-jump in the narrative when it comes time to bring in Woods?

[the_grynne]

I wonder if there's going to be a big time-jump in the narrative when it comes time to bring in Woods?

That's my thought too. But it can't be too big of a time jump... Not a lot of time passes between Caesar's death and Octavian and Antony's falling out - and Woods would have to be introduced before any of Octavian's battle scenes, you'd think. Add Cleopatra into the mix, and the show seems to be condensing history into a tighter time frame, making it even more tricky.

The Pullo character spot on the website suggests we'll be seeing more scenes with Pullo and Octavian this season. It might be the source of conflict between Pullo and Vorenus later in the season, as they wind up supporting different sides in the civil war.

[dorukai]

I think the resemblance is close enough. Yay.

[the_grynne]

15 MORE DAYS!!

[fan_elune]

Oh, god. I love Max, I do, and I really didn't want him replaced, except OMGSQUEESIMON! Okay, I don't mind. The guy's good enough to pull it off. Plus we get both Max for a while, and then him. Bonus! *squees*

[the_grynne]

Max is adorable, like a vindictive cherub, but YES! SIMON! Season 2 is going to be FANTASTIC.