Ridley Scott’s long-in-the-works “Gladiator II” his theaters this Friday, Nov. 22.
The action epic, a sequel to the Oscar-winning 2000 film, stars Paul Mescal as Hanno, the nephew of the original film’s Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who, like that movie’s hero Maximus (Russell Crowe), must fight for his life in the Colosseum.
Here’s more about his character and the rest of the cast, which includes returning characters and new faces alike, in our full “Gladiator II” cast and character guide.
Paul Mescal as Hanno/Lucius
“Aftersun” Oscar nominee Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the nephew of former Emperor Commodus and son of Lucilla, although he is unaware of his royal lineage and goes by the name “Hanno.” In the 2000 film, Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark and here, a fateful turn of events finds him becoming a gladiator like his childhood hero, Maximus. As he says in the trailer, “I never forgot it — that a slave could take revenge against an emperor.”
Mescal’s other projects include the moving 2023 drama “All of Us Strangers” with Andrew Scott and the Hulu series “Normal People.”
Denzel Washington as Macrinus
Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a power player in Rome who wants to overthrow the current rulers. As we learned in the trailer, he sees Lucius as his “instrument” to take down Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the Roman general who trained under Maximus.
In 2022, Washington became the most-nominated Black actor in history after scoring his 10th Oscar nomination. Besides his winning performances in “Training Day” and “Glory,” he has elsewhere been nominated for “Malcolm X,” “Cry Freedom,” “The Hurricane,” “Flight,” “Fences,” “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius
Pedro Pascal, star of “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian,” plays one of the film’s key antagonists, Gen. Marcus Acacius.
The actor previously played Oberyn Martell in “Game of Thrones” and Javier Peña in “Narcos.” His films include “Wonder Woman 1984,” “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “Strange Way of Life” with Ethan Hawke.
He’s currently filming “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” with “Gladiator II” co-star Joseph Quinn.
Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta
Joseph Quinn plays the ruthless Emperor Geta, who rules Rome alongside Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).
He is best known for starring roles in “Stranger Things” and “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and is currently filming “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” in which he plays Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch.
Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla
Fred Hechinger plays the childish Emperor Caracalla, who shares power with Quinn’s Emperor Geta.
His previous credits include “Fear Street: 1994,” “The Woman in the Window” and Season 1 of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” He’s also in the upcoming “Kraven the Hunter” and co-stars opposite June Squibb in the indie, “Thelma.”
Connie Nielsen as Lucilla
Conne Nielsen returns to Ancient Rome to reprise her role as Lucilla, who in the first film tried to help former lover Maximus overthrow her brother Commodus.
The actress’ other films include “Wonder Woman,” “Nobody” and “Origin.”
Derek Jacobi as Sen. Gracchus
British actor Derek Jacobi returns to play Sen. Gracchus in “Gladiator II.” In the first film, he plotted with Maximus and Lucilla to overthrow Commodus.
The actor’s many other films include Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet,” “Henry V” and “Dead Again,” as well as “Gosford Park” and the TV series “Good Omens” and “The Sandman.”
Peter Mensah as Jugurtha
Peter Mensah, whose previous credits include the series “Spartacus” and films “300” and “Avatar,” plays Jugurtha, a Numidian king who mentors Mescal’s character.
Yuval Gonen as Arishat
Yuval Gonen plays Arishat, the wife of Mescal’s character, who fights alongside him as a skilled archer.
She previously appeared in the Israeli TV series “The Station” and “The Missing.”
Tim McInnerny as Senator Thraex
Tim McInnerny of “Blackadder” and “Game of Thrones” fame plays Senator Thraex, one of the Roman leaders whom Washington’s Macrinus manipulates in his own quest for power. You may have also seen McInnerny in “Notting Hill,” “Erik the Viking” and the series “Outlander.”
Alexander Karim as Ravi
Alexander Karim plays Ravi, who tends to the medical needs of the gladiators. The actor previously played Ihab Rashid in the FX series “Tyrant,” and Dr. Sigur Johanson in the German series “The Swarm.”
