Summary
Peacock’s new sword and sandals epicThose About To Dieis now streaming, and it’s introducing viewers to a layered antagonist that could rival Ramsay Bolton fromGame of Thrones- Tenax. Ramsay Bolton was the role that made Rheon a household name in 2013, and Rheon’s depiction ofRamsay is heralded as one of the best depictions of a sociopathic villain ever put on screen. While his depiction of Tenax is - technically - a villain in the new sprawling Peacock epic, the character offers much more than mere villainy below and above the surface.
Tenax (Rheon) is far more pragmatic than hisGame of Thronescounterpart. Where Ramsay Bolton would take pleasure in the physical pain of filleting his enemies alive on a pike, Tenax is portrayed byRheon as a much more nuanced villain. For instance,Tenax can show moments of compassion and emotion and even remain reserved at times, making sure to gain all the necessary information before forming a conclusion; giving the character more depth than Ramsay in the HBO series that elevated Rheon to fame.
The True Story & Real History Of Those About To Die’s Flavian Dynasty Explained
The intertwined stories of Those About to Die unfold under the umbrella of the Flavian dynasty, which the show explores in great historical detail.
Those About To Die’s Tenax Isn’t A Straightforward Villain
Ask Questions First, Annihilate Later
Unlike Ramsay Bolton, Tenax is a much more businesslike antagonist – raising legitimate questions about whether he can even be called a villain. While Tenax is a fictionalized tavern owner, the secretive dealings of the criminal underworld are historically accurate to Ancient Rome. Tenax’s ability to ascend to a coveted level of power in the Roman underworld, while still showing moments of kindness and care for others, makes him far more refined than Ramsay.Unlike Ramsay, he is never cruel for the sake of being cruel, and would rather find ways to use information or people to his advantage before discarding them as mere disposable toys.
The Nuance Makes It Iwan Rheon’s Best Role Since Game of Thrones
Sometimes Less Is More
Ramsay Bolton is one of the greatest villains in television history, butthere’s more to a villain than unabashed cruelty. SinceGame of Thronesended in 2019,Rheon has landed a myriad of roles in film & television, still, none of them come close to the degree of character refinement found inThose About To Die. The difference between Ramsay and Tenax is Rheon’s ability to show small character-defining moments inThose About To Diethat Ramsay was never given. Cruelty is an option for Tenax, but he would rather gather information and manipulate those around him, making him a more formidable threat.
Tenax offers Rheon the opportunity to show off his acting prowess with a performance that opens the door for viewers to connect with, or even root for, his character.
While Ramsay did have his nuances, they were never enough to allow Rheon to portray them beyond simple cruelty. Tenax offers Rheon the opportunity to show off his acting prowess with a performance that opens the door for viewers to connect with, or even root for, his character. This is something that would never have been possible for audiences to do with Ramsay. With all10Those About To Dieepisodes released on Peacock, it’s likely that Tenax, the seedy tavern owner, will be added to Rheon’s list of memorable performances to date.
Those About To Die
Cast
Set in the year 79 AD in Rome, “Those About to Die” dives into the brutal and complex world of gladiatorial combat. The series explores the dark underbelly of Roman entertainment, where the promise of free food and blood-soaked spectacles keep the restless population in check. The narrative focuses on various characters from all corners of the Roman Empire, whose lives intersect in the grand arena.
