HBO is going back into business with Rome duo Jane Tranter and Anne Thomopoulos for a miniseries based on Robert Graves’ I, Claudius.
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the BBC Worldwide Productions duo will executive produce the co-production with BBC2.
Graves’ novel was first published in 1934 as an autobiography of Roman Emperor Claudius and includes the history of the Roman Empire from Julius Caesar’s assassination to Caligula’s assassination.
The book — and its sequel, Claudius the God — were first adapted as a miniseries by BBC Television in 1976 and broadcast stateside as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre. Starring Derek Jacobi as the Roman emperor, the mini picked up three Emmy nominations, including outstanding direction and limited series, winning for art direction.
The HBO/BBC co-production will be based on both books.
The project was first adapted for the big-screen in 1937 with director Josef von Sternberg with Charles Laughton as Claudius.
Relativity Media and writer-director Jim Sheridan eyed a big-screen remake in 2008.
Tranter and Thomopoulos produced HBO’s historical drama Rome, which ran for two seasons on the pay cable network.
HBO also is teaming with the BBC for Parade’s End, a five-part mini set during World War I being written by Shakespeare in Love Oscar winner Tom Stoppard with Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall starring.
