Gladiator 2 cast: Full list of stars in sequel film with Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington
Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington lead the newcomers of the cast.
The much-anticipated release of Gladiator 2 has finally arrived in the UK.
The film is the long-awaited sequel to the Academy Award-winning 2000 film Gladiator. Director Sir Ridley Scott returns to helm the follow-up, albeit without that film's lead star, Russell Crowe as Maximus.
Very loosely based on real events, the sequel follows the son of Crowe's Maximus, Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) who had been smuggled away into hiding in Africa between films and now lives a peaceful life in Numidia - that is until the Roman Empire's expansion destroys this.
Taken away as a slave and forced into the gladiatorial arena, will Lucius seize his birthright and rebel against the tyrannical rule of twin emperors, Caracalla and Geta? You bet!
Speaking about what Mescal brings to the role of Lucius, returning star Connie Nielsen said: "What Paul brings to the role is, like, this deeper story, a story of a child who has been abandoned, of someone who has seen unbelievable injustice, and he brings to the role of Lucius such intensity and a feeling."
Here is everything you need to know about the cast of characters in Gladiator 2.
Gladiator 2 cast: Full list of stars in sequel film with Paul Mescal
The following people star in Gladiator II.
- Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus/Hanno
- Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius
- Connie Nielsen as Lucilla
- Denzel Washington as Macrinus
- Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta
- Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla
- Lior Raz as Viggo
- Sir Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus
- Tim McInnerny as Senator Thraex
- Alexander Karim as Ravi
- Peter Mensah as Jubartha
- Yuval Gonen as Arishat
- Matt Lucas as the Master of Ceremonies
- Rory McCann as Tegula
Here is all you need to know about the major players in the story.
Paul Mescal plays Lucius Verus/Hanno
Who is Lucius Verus? The son of Lucilla and the rightful heir of Imperial Rome, Lucius was sent away to live in Numidia by his mother for his safety. Years passed and, despite being an outsider, Lucius made a life for himself as a man named Hanno and had a beloved wife named Arishat. However, the arrival of the Roman Empire on his doorstep spells disaster for Numidia and Lucius is brought to Rome as a prisoner of war. He comes face to face with his mother when he is forced to fight for his life in the gladiatorial arena. Marketing has confirmed that Lucilla reveals Lucius is indeed the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe), the hero of the first film.
Where else have you seen Paul Mescal? Following his breakthrough role in the BBC/Hulu series Normal People, Irish actor Paul Mescal has had multiple acclaimed roles on stage and screen, including parts in the films The Lost Daughter, Aftersun, Foe, and All of Us Strangers.
Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius
Who is Marcus Acacius? A Roman general who previously trained beneath Russell Crowe's Maximus but who was not seen in the first film, Acacius arrives in Numidia with Roman forces and soon decimates it and takes Lucius prisoner. Acacius is a rising political power in Rome and no longer wants to send his soldiers to war for the emperors. Acacius is the devoted second husband of Lucilla.
Where else have you seen Pedro Pascal? Following his breakthrough role as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal has appeared in the acclaimed television series Narcos, The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, as well as parts in films including Wonder.
Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla
Who is Lucilla? The daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and sister of Emperor Commodus, Lucilla is a political player in her own right and parted ways with her beloved son Lucius Verus following the first film and the death of her lover Maximus. In the new film, Lucilla is in danger from the twin Emperors Geta and Caracalla as she remains a key symbol of an older, nobler Rome, and is now married to general Marcus Acacius. The character is loosely based on the historical figure of the same name.
Where else have you seen Connie Nielsen? Outside of her breakout role in the original Gladiator, Danish actress Nielsen is best known for her film roles in Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, Soldier, Mission to Mars, One Hour Photo, Basic, The Hunted, The Ice Harvest, Nymphomaniac, 3 Days to Kill, Inheritance, and Nobody.
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus
Who is Macrinus? A former slave who has become a wealthy arm and commodity dealer but holds a grudge against the Emperors. Macrinus has been said to have a stable of gladiators. The character is based on the historical figure of the same name.
Where else have you seen Denzel Washington? An iconic actor, producer and director of the silver screen, the Oscar-winning American star Denzel Washington is known for film roles including his Oscar-winning turns in Glory and Training Day, plus parts in Mo' Better Blues, Mississippi Masala, Philadelphia, Courage Under Fire, Remember the Titans, Man on Fire, Inside Man, American Gangster, and The Equalizer trilogy, plus his films Antwone Fisher, The Great Debaters and Fences.
Joseph Quinn plays Emperor Geta
Who is Emperor Geta? One of the twin co-emperors of Rome, who symbolises the moral decline of the empire and who serves as one of the antagonists of the film. Geta is the more stable of the two evil brothers and is more dominant. The character is based on the historical figure of the same name.
Where else have you seen Joseph Quinn? Following his breakout role in Stranger Things, British actor Joseph Quinn has been cast in numerous films, including Hoard, A Quiet Place: Day One, and as The Human Torch in the upcoming Fantastic Four from Marvel Studios.
Fred Hechinger plays Emperor Caracalla
Who is Emperor Caracalla? One of the twin co-emperors of Rome symbolises, who the moral decline of the empire and serves as one of the antagonists of the film. Caracalla has a pet monkey and is more unstable than his brother. The character is based on the historical figure of the same name.
Where else have you seen Fred Hechinger? American actor Fred Hechinger is known for his film roles in Eighth Grade, News of the World, The Woman in the Window and The Fear Street Trilogy, as well as television roles including The White Lotus and Pam & Tommy.
Lior Raz plays Viggo
Who is Viggo? Viggo, a former gladiator, is now Macrinus' strict trainer of gladiators and becomes a tormentor of Lucius.
Where else have you seen Lior Raz? The Israeli actor is best known for his roles in Fauda and the television series Hit & Run.
Sir Derek Jacobi plays Senator Gracchus
Who is Senator Gracchus? A principled senator who believes in democracy and honour and the restoration of the Roman Republic, Senator Gracchus is one of only two characters returning from the first film.
Where else have you seen Sir Derek Jacobi? A renowned British thespian with iconic roles on stage and screen, Sir Derek Jacobi reprises his role in the film Gladiator. Jacobi is also known for roles in the likes of Roman drama series I, Claudius, The Tenth Man, Last Tango in Halifax, Doctor Who, and the films Othello, The Day of the Jackal, Henry V, Dead Again, Hamlet, Gosford Park, Nanny McPhee, The Riddle, The King's Speech, My Week with Marilyn, Anonymous, Cinderella and Murder on the Orient Express.
Tim McInnerny plays Senator Thraex
Who is Senator Thraex? A well-connected senator and an associate of Macrinus, Senator Thraex is also a rather unsuccessful gambler.
Where else have you seen Tim McInnerny? A renowned British actor of stage and screen, McInnerny is best known for his roles as Lord Percy and Captain Darling in Blackadder but has also had roles in The Edge of Darkness, New Tricks and Game of Thrones.
Alexander Karim plays Ravi
Who is Ravi? A former gladiator and now a freedman, Ravi serves as a doctor tending to injured fighters in the arena and becomes an ally to Lucius.
Where else have you seen Alexander Karim? The Swedish actor is best known for his roles in the television series The Lawyer, The Swarm, and Tyrant.
Peter Mensah plays Jubartha
Who is Jubartha? A Numidian chieftain and friend of Lucius/Hanno, Jubartha is forced into slavery and the gladiatorial arena alongside his comrade.
Where else have you seen Peter Mensah? The Ghanaian-British actor is familiar with the swords and sandals, having played Onomeaus in the Spartacus television series along with film roles in Avatar, 300, and The Incredible Hulk.
Yuval Gonen plays Arishat
Who is Arishat? The wife of Hanno/Lucius in Numidia is a warrior who fights to protect her country.
Where else have you seen Yuval Gonen? The Israeli actress is a relative newcomer but previous appeared in The Missing.
Matt Lucas plays the Master of Ceremonies
Who is the Master of Ceremonies? Essentially the host and commentator of the gladiatorial games in the Colosseum.
Where else have you seen Matt Lucas? The British actor and comedian is best known for sketch shows such as Little Britain, Rock Profile and Come Fly with Me, as well as parts in Doctor Who and presenting gigs such as The Great British Bake Off.
Rory McCann plays Tegula
Who is Tegula? The leader of the Praetorian Guard is forced to switch allegiances in the film.
Where else have you seen Rory McCann? The British actor is best known for his role as The Hound/Sandor Clegane in Game of Thrones, as well as roles in films such as Hot Fuzz and Jumanji: The Next Level.
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Gladiator 2 will arrive in cinemas on 15th November.
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Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
