Tom Hiddleston hosts a new three-episode documentary series titled "Pompeii: Out of Time," which premiered on National Geographic on July 22 and became available on Disney+ and Hulu on July 23. The series aims to reframe the well-known story of Pompeii's destruction by focusing on the timeline of the eruption, which unfolded over approximately a full day, preceded by warning earthquakes. This allowed time for some residents to evacuate.
The show follows the experiences of three historical Romans: Avianius Felicio, a blacksmith's apprentice; Julia Felix, a successful businesswoman who owned a spa; and an unnamed Praetorian guard stationed in Herculaneum. Through dramatic reenactments, the series illustrates their choices and the panic experienced by residents, as well as the 'cooler heads' that might have enabled many in Herculaneum to escape. The documentary explores the question of survival, engaging with experts like Professor Steven Tuck from the Pompeii Survivors Project, archaeologisst Caitie Barrett of Cornell University, and disaster psychologist Sarita Robinson, who help track individuals and possessions showing up in other parts of the Roman world after 79 AD.
Hiddleston, who has had a long-standing fascination with Pompeii since age 17, guides the viewer in what he describes as a "combination true-crime thriller and time-travel story." He desired to connect viewers personally with the ordinary people affected by the disaster, moving beyond the usual narrative of emperors and generals. The series is praised for its sensitivity in handling the catastrophe and its focus on human behavior during crisis, showcasing mutual aid efforts similar to modern disasters, such as Pompeii sending help to Herculaneum and Rome dispatching rescue ships.
