Raising Standards

Follow Raising Standards
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A rewatch podcast for HBO's Rome with Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith

Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith


    • May 25, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES

    5 from 90 ratings Listeners of Raising Standards that love the show mention: spartacus, rhiannon, rome, evans, hbo, matt, dr, one of my favorite, series, fantastic, like, love, time, thank, great.



    Search for episodes from Raising Standards with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Raising Standards

    James Purefoy and Kevin McKidd interview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2024 48:11


    In the final episode of Raising Standards we speak to James Purefoy (Mark Antony) and Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus). Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.10: De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 47:50


    Antony and Cleopatra are the ultimate livers, Octavian Caesar has his triumph in Rome, and Vorenus and Pullo reunite for the final time. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Bruno Heller interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 28:05


    In this interview we speak to Bruno Heller, the creator, main writer and show runner of HBO's Rome. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Alice Henley interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2023 19:18


    In this interview we speak to Alice Henley who portrayed Livia, about stepping in to a well established cast in what was one her first roles on television. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.09: Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 44:18


    Octavian and Antony get in a tussle over the grain supply, Atia and Octavia get the cold shoulder in a hot climate, and Vorenus plays ball, Pullo deals with the people, Posca is the MVP, and there are at least five slaps in the episode. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.08: A Necessary Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 84:14


    Octavian pushes back against promiscuity and the tenuous alliance with Mark Antony finally unravels, over both women and money. Both Vorenus and Pullo lose everything they hold dear, and the stage is finally set for a showdown in Alexandria. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.07: Death Mask

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 46:24


    Servilia takes out a final curse on Atia, Timon struggles between faith and family, and Pullo's love life becomes significantly more complicated. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.06: Philippi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 54:04


    The triumvirate is formed, Vorenus and Pullo get their hands very dirty, Cicero pays the ultimate price for his rhetoric, and Brutus and Cassius make the final stand of the Roman republic with an actual battle scene. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Coral Amiga interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 25:11


    In this interview we speak to Coral Amiga, who portrayed Vorena the Elder, daughter of Vorenus. Across two seasons she gave viewers an excellent insight into the at times brutal life of a plebeian child in Rome. As you'd expect - spoiler warnings for the rest of season two. Enjoy! Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.05: Heroes of the Republic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 42:13


    Octavian becomes both consul and a problem for the senate, Vorenus settles down to a life of familial bliss, and Antony grows one heck of a beard. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.04: Testudo et Lepus (with Todd Ellis Kessler)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2022 73:32


    Vorenus goes in search of his enslaved children, Timon has a change of heart and character, Octavian levels up, and Atia and Servilia escalate their feud. We are also joined by special guest Todd Ellis Kessler, writer of the episode. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.03: These Being the Words of Marcus Tullius Cicero (with Alan Poul)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 59:17


    Vorenus begins gang warfare in the Aventine, Servilia steps up her feud with Atia, Cicero makes a stand the only way he knows how, and Antony violates a household plant. We are also joined by special guest Alan Poul, director of the episode. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.02: Son of Hades

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 48:25


    Antony becomes disgruntled with the tedious administrative duties of running an Empire. Cleopatra makes an unexpected appearance, pushing for the legitimacy of her son by Caesar, and Vorenus embarks upon his latest career path as a crime boss of the Aventine. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Lorcan Cranitch interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 24:51


    In this interview we speak to Lorcan Cranitch, who portrayed crime boss of the Aventine Erastes Fulmen. Lorcan has had a long acting career both on and off the screen, he had a long run on The Bill and more recently the BBC series Bloodlands, There's a slight spoiler warning for season 2 episode 2 of Rome, but otherwise enjoy. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    2.01: Passover

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 52:55


    Caesar is dead and gets cremated, Niobe is dead and gets cremated, and the political machinations of Rome continue... Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Season One Wrap-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 45:46


    Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith take a fond look at the first season HBO's Rome.

    1.12: Kalends of February

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 54:18


    Lucius Vorenus and Niobe finally get some semblance of happiness before it is cruelly snatched away from them, Julius Caesar finally gets some semblance of happiness before it is cruelly snatched away from him, and Titus Pullo finally gets some semblance of happiness. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Ray Stevenson interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 30:51


    In this interview we speak to Legionary Pullo himself, Ray Stevenson. Ray's performance as Pullo was the heart of Rome, and he bought a loveable roguish every-man quality to the role while at the same time isn't someone that I'd want to mess with. In the years since Rome he's become famous as friend of Thor Volstag in the Marvel films and appeared in major roles in the television shows Vikings and Black Sails. He spoke to us recently from Bulgaria where he's shooting a new film. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast. Also while we have your attention, the When in Rome podcast is now fundraising for the sixth series. Please give your support.

    1.11: The Spoils

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2021 49:12


    Lucius Vorenus begins his new job as a politician but is caught up in a disagreement between Caesar and his veterans. Titus Pullo continues his downward spiral, and Brutus begins to question his allegiance to Caesar. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.10: Triumph (with Adrian Hodges)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2021 67:45


    Caesar is proclaimed dictator by the senate and rewarded with a triumph for his successful conquest of Gaul. Brutus receives an insult from Caesar that drives him to side with Cassius. Pullo decides to retire to the countryside, Vorenus prepares for his new position in politics, and Servilia plots her revenge There is also a special interview with episode writer Adrian Hodges. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.09: Utica

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 43:13


    Caesar returns to Rome and plans his triumph. Servilia pushes forward her plans with Octavia, forcing Atia to retaliate. Cato and Scipio commit suicide bringing an end to the civil war, and Vorenus and Pullo attempt to settle back into society in the fat old bitch herself. And by that, we mean Rome. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    William J MacDonald interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 34:48


    William J MacDonald is one of the creators and executive producers of Rome, and in this wide ranging chat he talks about how the show came about, how the plot could have been very different, and what would have happened if the show hadn't been cancelled. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.08: Caesarion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 43:25


    Caesar pursues Pompey to Egypt only to find Alexandria embroiled in a dynastic dispute between the boy prince Ptolemy and his sister Cleopatra. He installs Cleopatra on the throne, resulting in a prolonged siege. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.07: Pharsalus (with Ken Cranham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2021 51:11


    Vorenus and Pullo are shipwrecked on an island, Caesar and Pompey fight it off offscreen, and the beginning of a relationship between Servilia and Octavia. There is also a special interview with Ken Cranham, who played Pompey. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.06: Egeria (with Alan Poul)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 64:45


    Mark Antony considers throwing in with Pompey before he packs his bags, follows Caesar and leaves Rome. Vorenus rekindles his romance with Niobe before he packs up his bag, raises his standard and leaves Rome. Octavian becomes a real man before he puts on his toga, packs up his bag and leaves Rome. We are also joined by special guest Alan Poul, director of the episode. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.05: The Ram Has Touched the Wall (with Parvez Qadir)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 46:56


    Lucius Vorenus has a setback in his new career when all his slaves die of the flux. After a brief crisis of identity he re-enlists in the 13th legion. Octavian helps Titus Pullo investigate his suspicions. Attia engages in some light public vandalism. Servilia engages in some light public cursing. Caesar chases Pompey out of Italy. We are also joined by special guest Parvez Qadir, who plays the role of Tanjit. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.04: Stealing From Saturn (with Julian Farino)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 55:12


    Caesar receives a dictator's welcome as he enters Roman society and seeks approval of the auspices. Vorenus has a party and an offering as he enters civilian life. Pullo throws his newfound wealth around. We are also joined by special guest Julian Farino, director of this episode of Rome. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Lee Boardman interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 31:13


    Lee Boardman played the Timon across two seasons of Rome, a character who grew in more prominence and bought some much needed diversity to the ethnic melting pot of the Roman Empire. Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.03: An Owl in a Thornbush

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 56:23


    Vorenus and Pullo deliver Caesar's demands to the senate, Attia makes the most of Caesar's impending arrival, and Pompey makes a strategic departure from Rome! Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    1.02: How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 62:03


    Caesar crosses the Rubicon, Mark Antony becomes the Tribune of the Plebs, and Pullo, somehow, gets the blame for bringing down the Roman republic! Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Ian McNeice interview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2020 19:08


    Ian McNeice played the Newsreader in Rome, a character who bought both a flourish and much needed exposition to the Roman forum!

    1.01: The Stolen Eagle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2020 66:29


    Will Vorenus and Pullo recover Caesar's stolen standard? Will anyone explain why Octavian needs to go to Gaul? Find out in the inaugural episode of Raising Standards, a true rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome for true Romans! Raising Standards, an occasional rewatch podcast of HBO's Rome, hosted by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith of the Emperors of Rome podcast.

    Claim Raising Standards

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel