People,
Overall I agree with you, it is the best series since I Claudius. In the main the casting was superb, with the notable exception of Cleopatra, which was awful. There should have also been some battle scenes, the series was missing action on a large scale, though I understand the next series may deliver this, Actium must be an impressive visual feast. I felt that the acting was of a very high standard and the sets were excellent. Historically it was also well researched, though inevitably the finer points come down to interpretation of the primary sources, such as the exact way a woman would have addressed a Roman noble in public, namely Atia. I was also glad the series was an 18 certificate; anything less would have reduced the realism and my enjoyment. Cynics may deplore the Director’s interpretation of certain events or characters, but I feel it is important to remember than above all the series must be entertaining; it is not a documentary. Obviously Octavian did not run amuck with soldiers in his youth, the reality would probably have been a dull affair of military and social training. This is an excellent series and I'm looking forward to the next one! If that doesn’t sell it to you the box set is the best I have ever seen!