Gladiator 2 Cast & Character Guide

Summary

• Gladiator 2 introduces new cast members, including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, to continue the epic story.
• The plot centers on Lucius, following the events of the original Gladiator film, as he enters the arena with a mix of new and returning characters.
• With a talented ensemble cast, including rising stars and acclaimed actors, Gladiator 2 builds anticipation for its highly-anticipated sequel.

Decades after Russell Crowe’s Maximus screamed, “Are you not entertained?” Ridley Scott and the cast of Gladiator 2 are back for a follow-up to the historical epic with both new and returning characters. A direct sequel set after the events of the Best Picture-winning original, Gladiator 2 was a long-gestating project until a cast finally started to assemble in 2023. The film’s plot focuses on Lucius, the young noble from the first Gladiator. Modeling himself after Maximus, Lucius will enter the arena in the highly-anticipated sequel.

Playing an adult Lucius, Paul Mescal leads the Gladiator 2 cast, which also features such high-profile actors as Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington alongside rising stars like Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger. While Russell Crowe has confirmed that he has no plans of returning, a few actors from the original are reprising their roles, most notably Connie Nielsen as Lucilla. Crowe passing the lead character baton to an acclaimed actor like Mescal is enough to build interest in the project, as he’s one of the most exciting young starts in the original.

Paul Mescal As Lucius

Date of Birth: February 2, 1996

Actor: Paul Mescal is an Irish actor who first gained notice for starring in the romantic drama miniseries Normal People as the soft-spoken and kind-hearted student Connell Waldron. After earning Emmy and BAFTA nominations for Normal People, Mescal showcased his dramatic capabilities on another level with his Oscar-nominated performance in the coming-of-age drama Aftersun. He’s since appeared in the critically acclaimed drama All of Us Strangers, proving him to be one of the most talented stars of his generation.

Character: Paul Mescal plays Lucious in the Gladiator 2 cast. Lucius Verus, played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator, was introduced as the son of Lucilla and the former Roman emperor after whom he was named. Lucius was shown to have held a deep fascination for the gladiator Maximus and his heroic victories in the arena.

Denzel Washington As Macrinus

Date of Birth: December 28, 1954

Actor: Denzel Washington is an American actor from Mount Vernon, New York, who’s regarded as one of the most iconic movie stars of all time. Denzel Washington’s best movies include his Oscar-winning stint as the corrupt cop Alonzo Harris in Training Day and his tear-jerking performance as Troy Maxon in Fences. His most iconic performances include Joe Miller in Philadelphia and Malcolm X in the eponymous biopic from Spike Lee. Washington was also a regular collaborator of Ridley Scott’s brother Tony Scott, acting in five of his movies.

Character: In Gladiator 2, Denzel Washington’s character is Macrinus, an arms dealer and power broker who keeps a stable of gladiators. He’ll be a supporting figure to Lucius, who likely has his own schemes at play.

Pedro Pascal As Marcus Acacius

Date of Birth: April 2, 1975

Actor: Pedro Pascal is a Chilean and American actor who had his big break playing the flamboyant Dornish prince Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones and assertive DEA agent Javier Peña in Narcos. His stardom continued to grow through high-profile TV starring roles, playing Mandalorian warrior Din Djarin in The Mandalorian and the morally complex survivalist Joel Miller in The Last of Us. A plethora of film roles now come his way, including the leading role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming Fantastic Four reboot.

Character: Pedro Pascal’s character in Gladiator 2 is Marcus Acacius. He’s a Roman general who served under Maximus, making him a powerful but bloodthirsty warrior. He’ll be one of the film’s main antagonists.

Connie Nielsen As Lucilla

Date of Birth: July 3, 1965

Actor: Connie Nielsen is a Danish actress who broke big as Lucilla in the original Gladiator film. Nielsen is also known for playing the valiant warrior queen Hippolyta in Wonder Woman (and other DC Extended Universe properties) and the cold-hearted mother Katherine in Nymphomaniac. On TV, Nielsen enjoyed a stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as the stern yet ultimately caring Detective Danielle Beck and starred as the ambitious politician and power-broker Meredith Kane on Boss.

Character: In Gladiator 2, Connie Nielsen returns to the franchise cast as Lucilla, a Roman aristocrat who mentors her son as he plans to rise through the ranks. The granddaughter of emperor Marcus Aurelius and Maximus’s former lover, Lucilla, is a wise and strategic player within Roman power politics.

Joseph Quinn As Emperor Geta

Date of Birth: January 26, 1994

Actor: Joseph Quinn is an English actor who broke out in Stranger Things season 4 playing Eddie Munson, the energetic high-school outcast who literally plays the guitar to save the world. He’s since become a coveted star, with roles in the recent A Quiet Place: Day One and an upcoming role in Fantastic Four as the Human Torch. Quinn is also no stranger to period roles, as he appeared in Catherine the Great as the titular Russian monarch’s son Paul Petrovich and starred in the BBC adaptation of Les Misérables as the charismatic revolutionary Enjolras.

Character: Joseph Quinn’s Gladiator 2 character is Emperor Geta. Geta is Caracalla’s brother with whom he reigns over Rome jointly. The primary antagonist of Gladiator 2, he harbors the same short temper as his co-ruler and serves as a brutish leader.

Fred Hechinger As Emperor Caracalla

Date of Birth: 1998/1999 (Not Confirmed)

Actor: Fred Hechinger is an American actor best recognized from the first season of The White Lotus where he played the socially awkward tech-addicted teenager Quinn. His other previous roles include the condescending high-schooler Trevor in Eighth Grade, outlaw John Calley in News of the World, and ominous murderer Ethan in The Woman in the Window. His recent success has earned him a role in other blockbusters, including the upcoming Sony Marvel film, Kraven the Hunter.

Character: Fred Hechinger plays the Emperor Caracalla. A hot-headed ruler, Caracalla harbors a liking for violence. In fact, the actual Caracalla was notorious for ordering massacres in his territories.

Gladiator 2 Supporting Cast & Characters

Derek Jacobi As Gracchus: Derek Jacobi plays Gracchus in the Gladiator 2 cast. The actor reprises his role in Gladiator 2 as the Roman Senator, a dutiful ally of Lucilla’s. A mainstay in many Shakespearean theater adaptations, Jacobi is a Tony-winning stage veteran. He has also appeared in such ensemble movies as Gosford Park and The King’s Speech.

Rory McCann as Tegula: Rory McCann joins the Gladiator 2 cast as Tegula. McCann is best known for his iconic role as The Hound in Game of Thrones.

Alexander Karim as Ravi: Veteran Swedish actor Alexander Karim is best known for roles in various film and television productions in Europe, with recent credits including The Swarm and The Box. He’ll play Ravi in the Gladiator sequel.

Tim McInnerny as Thraex: English actor Tim McInnerny joins the Gladiator 2 cast as Thraex. He’s appeared in film and television roles dating back to the 1980s, including Notting Hill, Game of Thrones, and Outlander.

May Calamawy In Unknown Role: Egyptian actress May Calamawy has an unknown role in Gladiator 2. The actor is mostly known for playing the rebellious and inquisitive Dena Hassan, one of the main characters from the comedy-drama Ramy. She also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the adventurer-archaeologist Layla El-Faouly in Moon Knight.

Peter Mensah In Unknown Role: Ghanaian actor Peter Mensah being part of the Gladiator 2 cast adds to his many run-ins with the swords-and-sandals genre, having previously appeared in 300 as the infamous Persian messenger who gets kicked into a well by Leonidas. Mensah also starred in numerous seasons of Spartacus as the Gallic gladiator and rebel slave Oenomaus.

Lior Raz In Unknown Role: Lior Raz also has an unknown role in Gladiator 2. Raz is popular for playing the brooding counter-terrorism unit commander Doron Kavillio in Fauda, an Israeli political thriller series that the actor-screenwriter also created. Though it was a small role, the most notable acting credit in his filmography is playing Rovach Alimov in the Ryan Reynolds Netflix movie 6 Underground.

Matt Lucas In Unknown Role: Before joining the Gladiator 2 cast, British actor and TV presenter Matt Lucas was best known for his involvement in the sketch comedy series Little Britain and for playing the Twelfth Doctor’s companion, Nardole, in Doctor Who. He was also one of the co-hosts of The Great British Baking Show from 2020 to 2023.