Loki star heads to Ancient Rome in new Disney+ series

Image: Marvel Studios

Tom Hiddleston, the star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Loki, is teaming up once again with executive producer Kevin R. Wright for an unexpected new venture. Trading the multiverse for the ancient world, the duo is producing Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston, a three-part docudrama that chronicles the harrowing destruction of Pompeii following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The series is set to debut on Disney Plus and Hulu on July 23, following its National Geographic premiere on July 22.

In this immersive project, Hiddleston assumes the role of a “time detective,” utilizing cinematic flair to traverse history and step into scripted narratives that bring the daily lives of ancient Romans to the screen as they face the encroaching volcanic cataclysm.

While the jump from the God of Mischief to Roman history may seem abrupt, the concept serves as a clever nod to a notable moment in Loki season 1, where the protagonist traveled to 79 AD to test theories regarding the fluidity of time during an apocalyptic event.

Beyond the dramatized sequences, the documentary draws upon the expertise of historians, archaeologists, and geologists to challenge common misconceptions—specifically the myth that the eruption brought immediate death to the city’s inhabitants. Instead, the series aims to reframe the tragedy as a profound human drama, highlighting resilience, sacrifice, and the personal destinies of those living in Vesuvius’s shadow.

The narrative is split between investigative segments, where Hiddleston consults with subject-matter experts, and historical reenactments focusing on three specific figures: a young apprentice, a prominent businesswoman, and a mysterious Praetorian Guard.

For Hiddleston, the subject is deeply personal. Having studied Classics at the University of Cambridge, the actor has maintained a lifelong intellectual fascination with the ancient world. “Classical Antiquity is the cornerstone of Western culture,” Hiddleston noted in a press release. “Visiting Pompeii makes the 2,000-year gap vanish. The past becomes immediate, tangible, and profoundly honest.”

What began as a playful connection to his iconic role as Loki has clearly blossomed into a rigorous and ambitious historical endeavor.

Source: Polygon