(14 September 2005 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: HBO US has renewed its epic drama series Rome for a second season. The show which is a co-production beween HBO and The BBC looks at the rise of the ancient Roman empire through the eyes of two foot-soldiers.

Production of the 12-episode second season will begin next March, with the debut set for 2007. HBO Entertainment president Carolyn Strauss says, "Although the first season of Rome is just underway, we're affirming our support for this exciting and ambitious series by preparing for a second season now. I am delighted that critics and subscribers share our enthusiasm for the show."

Production is based at Rome's Cinecitta Studios. Additional location footage has been shot throughout Europe and North Africa. The lead writer is English screen-writer Bruno Heller, who is also an executive producer on the drama. Rome is an intimate drama of love and betrayal, masters and slaves, and husbands and wives. It chronicles epic times that saw the fall of a republic and the creation of an empire.