‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’: Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about Netflix ancient war drama
Historical dramas are evergreen, and especially so if they take things back further than the oft-explored modern and medieval times. If you’re in the mood for some ancient history, violent wars, and power struggles, what you need is Netflix’s upcoming German series ‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’.
Release date
‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’ will premiere on Netflix on October 23.
Plot
As per Netflix, ‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’ is set in the year 9 AD. Several Germanic tribes unite to challenge the almost invincible Roman legions in a legendary battle that would forever change the course of European history - the battle in the Teutoburg Forest. At the center of this bloody clash, per Netflix, are three childhood friends who are linked by a tragic fate. They become the all-important force in the fight against the superior Roman power. Their path is marked by loyalty and betrayal, love, and hate; and ultimately, it proves to be a test of their friendship.
In the show, the Cheruscan prince's daughter Thusnelda (Jeanne Goursaud) and the simple warrior Folkwin (David Schütter) are secretly a couple. But soon the two are challenged in a completely different way: The Roman occupiers under governor Varus (Gaetano Aronica) extort oppressive tributes from the Germanic tribes, whose infighting makes it difficult to defend themselves together.
Thusnelda and Folkwin, per the synopsis, “decide to act on their own and humiliate the empire in a daring night-and-fog act. To avenge the shame, the Roman governor sends out his foster son Arminius (Laurence Rupp). But the young Roman officer has a secret that connects him closely with Thusnelda and Folkwin.” Torn between the two hearts beating in his chest, the young man has to choose one side - and betray the other. The three become the driving force behind the uprising, which unites the divided tribes into an army. Together they deliver one last battle to the superior Roman superpower, which will also change the lives of the three friends forever.
Cast
Gaetano Aronica as Varus
The 57-year-old Italian actor is best known for his roles in ‘Malena’, ‘Il capo dei capi’, and ‘Paul VI: The Pope in the Tempest’. Aronica serves as the president of the Luigi Pirandello Theater in Agrigento.
Jeanne Goursaud as Thusnelda
The 24-year-old French-German actor is best known for her roles in ‘The 15:17 to Pari’, ‘In Wahrheit: Mord am Engelsgraben’, and ‘Dieter Not Unhappy’. She is also known for her roles in the German-Australian series ‘In Your Dreams’ and the comedy series ‘Der Lehrer’.
David Schütter as Folkwin
The 29-year-old German actor is the grandson of the actor, director, and theater director Friedrich Schütter. David completed his acting training at the School for Drama Hamburg in 2012. He is best known for his work on ‘Charlie's Angels’, ‘Strawberry Bubblegums’, and ‘Never Look Away’.
Laurence Rupp as Arminius
The 33-year-old Austrian theater and film actor is best known for his roles in ‘Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation’, ‘Dead in 3 Days’, and ‘Cops’. He was part of the ensemble at the Vienna Burgtheater. He is now a member of the Berliner Ensemble.
Creator
Jan Martin Scharf and Arne Nolting serve as showrunners and, together with Andreas Heckmann, also as screenwriters. ‘Barbaren’ is the first German Netflix original from Gaumont, represented by producers Sabine de Mardt, Andreas Bareiss, and Rainer Marquass.
Trailer
The short German-language teaser for ‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’ dropped on September 23. While it does not give much away in terms of story, it does set the tone for the series - and that tone is bloody. The show’s visuals look spectacular and it promises to be a gripping plot full of betrayal and war.
If you like ‘Barbaren’ or ‘Barbarians’, you will also like
‘Spartacus’, ‘Rome’, ‘Vikings’, ‘Marco Polo’, and ‘300’.