Netflix has been frequently investing in documentaries. This week, it released two of them, both of which have quickly become global trends. One is the film The Greatest Night in Pop, and the other is the docu-series Alexander: The Making of a God.
The latter made its grand debut on the catalog two days ago and has rapidly become one of the most-watched, both globally and in the United States. Hugh Ballantyne, Stuart Elliott and Mike Slee are the creators of this six-episode production.
The project not only portrays the life and journey of one of the most popular historical figures but also narrates how Alexander became the king of the ancient Greek city of Macedonia and, by the age of 30, had already created one of the greatest empires in history.
Alexander: The Making of a God ranked #2 on Netflix
Alexander: The Making of a God has become, in just two days, one of the favorite docu-series for Netflix users worldwide. According to Flix Patrol, the title is ranked at the top 2, both in the United States and in various countries, being only surpassed by “Griselda” with Sofía Vergara.
It is not the first time that the story of Alexander the Great has been brought to the screen, as he is one of the most recognized historical figures of all time. However, what makes the docu-series special and different is that it combines interviews with thrilling reenactments, exploring his life during his conquest of the Persian Empire.
He was the king of the ancient Greek city of Macedonia, considered one of the greatest and most successful military commanders in history, creating one of the largest empires by the age of 30. Over time, he has been regarded as a god, given the rarity of those possessing his strength and resilience.
Of course, the critiques did not take long to arrive, and one of the first media outlets to publish one was Decider. Joel Keller, the review’s writer, confessed, “The performances, especially Braithwaite as Alexander, are well-modulated; the actors portray these individuals as real human beings rather than something out of a Shakespearean play“.
Who is the cast of the docu-series?
Being a mix of reenactments and interviews, the cast is quite extensive. Many talented actors have been chosen, after a rigorous casting process, to portray the characters that have shaped history. Buck Braithwaite took on the lead role in the series, bringing Alexander to life.
Here, check which actors have participated in the hybrid documentary and the roles they obtained:
- Buck Braithwaite as Alexander
- Mido Hamada as King Darius
- Dino Kelly as Ptolemy
- Alain Ali Washnevsky as Mazaeus
- Nada El Belkasmi as Barsine
- Will Stevens as Hephaestion
- Agni Scott as Stateira
- Steven Hartley as General Memnon
- Jadran Malkovich as General Parmenion
- James Oliver Wheatley as Attalus
- Waleed Elgadi as Bessus
- Christopher Sciueref as King Philip
- Kosha Engler as Olympias
- Marie-Batoul Prenant as Euridyce
On the other hand, even though they were not credited as part of the cast, many historians, journalists, and professionals took the time to appear in the project, contributing new details to the story. One of them was Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, a professor at Cardiff University, who demonstrated a genuine passion for the life of the king.
What does the docu-series portray?
The six-part documentary-style series portrays and examines the rise of Alexander the Great from his brief exile from home in Macedonia to becoming the “boy king” of the country at the age of 20. The story, told through expert interviews and scripted dramatic recreations, continues until his eventual conquest of the vast Persian Empire.
Netflix described the narrative as enlightening and didn’t hesitate to share the official synopsis with viewers interested in the mythical life of Alexander. In a post on its official site, the streaming giant wrote:
“You’ve probably heard of Alexander the Great, the warrior prince who became a legendary Hellenic ruler of most of the known Western world. However, Alexander: The Making of a God tells the conquests of the historical icon in a new way, using contemporary accounts and fact-based archaeology, much of which is based on ongoing excavations by Greek archaeologist Calliope Limneos-Papakosta in Alexandria, Egypt, the city founded by Alexander the Great”.
