Jacobi, who portrayed the title character in the original BBC television series, will be playing the emperor Augustus in this new version. The role of Claudius will be played by Tom Goodman-Hill. The new serial is adapted from the Robert Graves historical novels about ancient Rome, and will begin broadcasting in the U.K. starting in November. No U.S. air dates have yet been announced.

Jacobi won a Tony for his performance in a 1985 production of Much Ado About Nothing and a 2009 Oliver for Twelfth Night. Additional Broadway credits include Uncle Vanya, Breaking the Code, Cyrano de Bergerac, and The Suicide. He is slated to play the title role in Shakespeare's King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse later this year, and will also be appearing in Showtime's new historical drama The Borgias.