Patrick Stewart: A Look into His Role in ‘I, Claudius’
Patrick Stewart is a name that resonates with movie and theatre enthusiasts globally. Known for his evocative voice and proficient acting, Stewart boasts an impressive filmography that spans over six decades. While most are familiar with his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ or Professor Charles Xavier in the ‘X-Men’ series, we will now delve into his early breakthrough role as Sejanus in ‘I, Claudius‘.
About the tv-show ‘I, Claudius’
Before understanding Stewart’s role, it’s critical to comprehend the context first. ‘I, Claudius’ was a historical drama featuring the chronicles of the Roman Empire. The BBC’s broadcast from September to December 1976 was an adaptation of two of Robert Graves’ novels: ‘I, Claudius’ from 1934 and the sequel ‘Claudius the God’ from 1935.
Written by Jack Pulman, the BBC adaptation of the novels follows the history of the early Roman Empire, from 24 BCE to AD 54, narrated by the elderly Roman Emperor Claudius. In addition to Patrick Stewart, the show features actors such as Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed, John Hurt, John Rhys-Davies, George Baker, Margaret Tyzack, Patricia Quinn, Ian Ogilvy, and Kevin McNally.
The series opens with Emperor Augustus attempting to find a suitable heir to the throne, and how his wife Livia is working to make Tiberius, her son from a previous relationship, that heir. This sets the stage for the show’s exploration of the continuous plotting between power-hungry individuals within the Roman society during the early history of the Roman Empire. Tiberius does ascend the throne, and Sejanus enters as his Praetorian Prefect Sejanus – a person who, just like Livia, is highly skilled at playing the political game by any means necessary.
Sejanus is a notable character in episode 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Short facts about the BBC historial drama I, Claudius
This show, consisting of 12 episodes, was originally aired on BBC2 from 20 September to 6 December 1976. Each episode was 50+ minutes in length.
It was based on the two novels “I, Claudius” and “Claudius the God” by Robert Graves.
Producer: Martin Lisemore
Production company: BBC/London Films
Created by: Martin Lisemore, Joan Sullivan, Herbert Wise, Jack Pulman
Written by: Jack Puman
Director: Herber Wise
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Language: English
Stewart’s performance as Sejanus
Patrick Stewart stepped into the shoes of Lucius Aelius Sejanus, an ambitious guard commander who played a pivotal role in the drama’s first half. Sejanus is represented as the de facto ruler of Rome since Tiberius, played by George Baker, was spending most of his reign in seclusion on the island of Capri.
Embodying Sejanus was no small task. The character was a complex one, driven by immense ambition and cunning. Known for his shrewd political maneuvering, Sejanus sought to manipulate the imperial household to his advantage. Patrick Stewart played this role with the utmost conviction, bringing forth the devious and crafty side of Sejanus.
Stewart’s performance was lauded for its careful portrayal of a man who ruthlessly rises in Roman society. He brought a chilling authenticity to Sejanus, mastering the character’s murderous glare and crafty smile. Hence, viewers felt a genuine sense of relief when Sejanus’s political plots were exposed, and he met his end.
Impact on Stewart’s career
Stewart’s performance in ‘I, Claudius’ positioned him firmly for a successful acting career. A younger Stewart, with a full head of hair, introduced the world to his versatility and charisma. Throughout the series, his portrayal of Sejanus was brought to life, showcasing his ability to master complex roles. It became a stepping stone leading to his iconic roles in popular franchises such as ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’.
In retrospect
Stewart’s role in ‘I, Claudius’ is often overlooked, overshadowed by his later mainstream roles. However, his performance as Sejanus is remarkable and serves as an excellent reminder of his tremendous talent and range. Patrick Stewart, as Sejanus, precisely represented the wheeling and dealing side of Roman politics, and he did so in a manner that held the audience captive, underlining his place in the classical pantheon of screen acting.
In essence, Patrick Stewart’s performance in ‘I, Claudius’ proves his acting prowess and the undeniable talent he has nurtured throughout his illustrious career. His interpretation of the manipulative and ambitious Sejanus is a testament to his versatility as an actor and a showcase of how he captivates his audience with his enthralling performances.
About the real-world Sejanus
Lucius Aelius Sejanus, commonly known as Sejanus, was a Roman soldier, and the close friend and confidant of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
Sejanus was born around the year 20 BCE and died on 18 October, AD 31. He was born into the Equites class ( the second of the property-based classes of ancient Rome, ranking below the senatorial class) and rose to power as prefect of the Praetorian Guard. He was the prefect from AD 14 until his exectuion in AD 31.
During this time as prefect for the Praetorian Guard, Sejanus introduced a number of changes that helped the guard develop beyond a mere bodygard for the emperor and into a very powerful branch of the government. Among other things, the Praetorian Guard became an important aspect of general public security and civil administration.
In the AD 20s, Sejanus became an increasingly important influence in the life of Emperor Tiberius and also helped the emperor eliminate potential political threats. In AD 26, Emperor Tiberius moved to Capri and left Sejanus in control of the imperial administration.
In AD 31, Sejanus suddenly fell from power. He was arrested on suspicion of conspiring against Emperor Tiberius, and was executed on 18 October that year.