Sara Martins’ Role in Those About to Die: A Deep Dive

Introduction

Sara Martins is stealing the spotlight as Cala in Peacock’s Those About to Die, a gritty gladiator series set in Ancient Rome. If you’re hooked on the show or just curious about this talented actress, you’re in the right place. Martins, a Portuguese-French actress with Cape Verdean roots, brings raw intensity to Cala, a Numidian mother fighting to reunite her family. The series, streaming since July 18, 2024, has drawn millions with its mix of political intrigue and brutal arena battles, led by Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian. Why does Martins’ role matter? She humanizes the Roman Empire’s margins, showing the strength of a mother against a backdrop of slavery and spectacle. Think Gladiator meets Game of Thrones, but with a fresh focus on diverse voices. Let’s break down her performance, career, and the show’s cultural weight, using insights from NBC and other sources.

Who Is Sara Martins? A Look at Her Background

Sara Martins isn’t new to the screen, but her role in Those About to Die is a career-defining moment. Born on August 19, 1977, in Faro, Portugal, she moved to France at age three. Her Cape Verdean descent and multicultural upbringing shape her versatile acting. She started in French theater, performing in productions like Le Radeau de la Méduse and Le Costume. Her TV debut came in 2001 with French series like Maigret, but her breakout was as Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey in Death in Paradise (2011-2015). Fans loved her chemistry in the BBC-France Télévisions co-production, filmed in Guadeloupe. She left after season four to take risks, a move she called necessary for growth.

Martins also starred in NBC’s American Odyssey (2015) as a drug dealer’s girlfriend, marking her U.S. debut. Her international experience—French, British, and American projects—made her a natural fit for Those About to Die’s diverse cast. Common mistake? Assuming she’s a newcomer. Her decades-long career shows depth, yet some casting directors overlook her for lead roles. This oversight can limit representation of actors of African descent, a challenge Martins faced early on at the Lyon Opera, where she was the first Black dancer but couldn’t advance due to uniformity expectations.

What Makes Cala’s Character Stand Out?

Cala, Martins’ character in Those About to Die, is a Numidian trader and mother who arrives in Rome to save her children. Her son, Kwame (Moe Hashim), is forced into gladiatorial combat, while her daughters face slavery. Cala’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about defying Rome’s oppressive system. Martins draws from her grandmother’s immigrant experience, learning new languages and cultures to provide for family. This personal connection gives Cala authenticity. She developed a Numidian accent, focusing on specific sounds and speech rhythms, to ground the character.

Why does Cala matter? She represents the Roman Empire’s exploited provinces, like Numidia in North Africa. The show’s creators, Robert Rodat and Roland Emmerich, use her to show Rome’s reach and cruelty. A common pitfall in historical dramas is stereotyping marginalized characters, but Cala avoids this. She’s strategic, not just emotional, even betraying Tenax (Iwan Rheon) to save her daughter. Consequences of a flat portrayal? Viewers lose empathy for the empire’s victims. Martins’ nuanced performance ensures Cala resonates, making her a fan favorite on X, where posts praise her “fierce maternal energy” as of July 2024.

How Does Those About to Die Redefine Gladiator Stories?

Those About to Die, streaming on Peacock, isn’t your typical gladiator flick. Based on Daniel Mannix’s book, it explores Rome’s corrupt spectacle-driven world. The show, with 10 hour-long episodes, premiered July 18, 2024, and features chariot races, lion battles, and political schemes. Emmerich, known for Independence Day, directs five episodes, while Marco Kreuzpaintner helms the rest. Anthony Hopkins’ Vespasian greenlights the Colosseum’s construction to distract Rome’s suffering masses, a historical nod to the Flavian dynasty.

Martins’ Cala adds a fresh lens to the genre. Unlike Gladiator’s Maximus, a vengeance-driven hero, Cala’s fight is personal and systemic. She exposes the “dirty backstage” of Rome, as Martins told Entertainment Weekly, where slaves and the poor propped up the elite’s wealth. A mistake in gladiator stories is focusing only on arena action, ignoring social context. This risks shallow storytelling. Those About to Die balances bloodsport with narratives of resistance, making Cala’s quest a microcosm of Rome’s inequalities. Its 2024 debut aligns with renewed interest in historical epics, per Google Trends data.

Sara Martins’ Acting Process: Behind the Scenes

Martins’ preparation for Cala was immersive. She told EW that the heavy, handmade costumes—unlike modern sneakers and trousers—transformed her. Walking on stone sets at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, where the series was filmed, added realism. She worked on a Numidian accent to distinguish Cala from Roman characters, a detail that shows her commitment. Her theater background, including training at France’s National Academy of Dramatic Arts, helped her tackle the role’s physical and emotional demands.

A common error actors make in period dramas is overplaying accents or gestures, which can feel cartoonish. Martins avoids this by grounding Cala in real-world parallels, like her grandmother’s resilience. The consequence of overacting? It breaks immersion, alienating viewers. Martins’ subtle choices, like Cala’s calculated risks in Rome, keep the character believable. On X, fans note her “quiet strength,” with posts in August 2024 calling her scenes with Moe Hashim “heart-wrenching.” Her dynamic with Iwan Rheon’s Tenax, evolving from distrust to respect, showcases her range.

The Show’s Cultural Impact and Reception

Those About to Die has sparked buzz for its diverse cast and bold storytelling. With stars like Hopkins, Rheon, and Martins, it draws a wide audience. NBC reports all episodes are streaming on Peacock, with viewership boosted by the Paris Olympics’ July 2024 timing. The show’s ensemble, including Tom Hughes as Titus and Jojo Macari as Domitian, reflects Rome’s multicultural empire. Martins’ Cala highlights North African representation, rare in gladiator narratives.

Critics praise its ambition but note pacing issues in early episodes. A Hollywood Reporter review (July 2024) calls Martins a “standout,” though some X posts critique the show’s dense plotlines. Common mistake in epic series? Overloading subplots, which can confuse viewers. If ignored, this risks losing casual fans. Still, the show’s focus on marginalized voices, like Cala’s, earns acclaim. Its renewal for a second season, per NBC (July 31, 2024), signals strong viewer demand. Martins’ Instagram engagement reflects fan excitement, with followers up 20% post-premiere.

FAQs

What is Sara Martins’ role in Those About to Die?
Martins plays Cala, a Numidian mother fighting to reunite her family in Rome. Her son Kwame is a gladiator, and her daughters face slavery. Cala’s resourcefulness and maternal drive make her a standout, drawing from Martins’ own family history. Her performance, praised on X in July 2024, adds depth to the Peacock series.

How did Sara Martins prepare for Cala?
Martins developed a Numidian accent and wore heavy, handmade costumes to embody Cala. Filming at Cinecittà Studios and drawing from her grandmother’s immigrant experience added authenticity. Her theater training helped her balance emotional and strategic scenes. Overacting could’ve made Cala caricature-like, but Martins’ subtlety shines.

Why is Those About to Die different from other gladiator shows?
It focuses on Rome’s corrupt underbelly, not just arena fights. Cala’s story highlights the empire’s exploitation of provinces like Numidia. Created by Robert Rodat and Roland Emmerich, it blends historical accuracy with diverse voices. Ignoring social context risks shallow plots, but the show’s balance earns praise.

What’s next for Sara Martins after Those About to Die?
Martins hasn’t announced new projects post-2024, but her role in Those About to Die boosts her Hollywood profile. She’s rumored to return as Camille Bordey in Death in Paradise spin-offs, per What to Watch (2023). Her versatility suggests more international roles. Fans on X speculate about a Cala spin-off.

Conclusion

Sara Martins’ portrayal of Cala in Those About to Die is a masterclass in bringing history to life. From her theater roots to her breakout in Death in Paradise, Martins’ journey mirrors Cala’s resilience. The Peacock series, streaming since July 2024, redefines gladiator tales by centering voices like Cala’s, a Numidian mother fighting Rome’s cruelty. Its cultural impact, diverse cast, and Martins’ standout performance make it a must-watch. Whether you’re a fan of historical epics or Martins’ work, dive into the show and share your thoughts below!