Patrick Stewart: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

3. Sejanus - I, Claudius (1976)

As with so much great TV and cinema, it's only when you revisit something after a long period that you come to appreciate all the little details you may have missed. One such detail is Stewart's performance as Sejanus, a ruthless member of the Praetorian Guard who rises to become de facto emperor of the Roman world.

I, Claudius is a 1976 BBC series based on the novels by Rupert Graves, which tells the story of several Roman emperors of the Claudian dynasty. Beginning with the reign of Augustus (Brian Blessed) and ending with Claudius (Derek Jacobi), it shows the corruption and intrigue of the imperial family as its many different members plot and scheme to place themselves or their chosen children on the throne. It's a highly compelling work, structured like a soap opera or mob drama, and many of its performances and dramatic twists still put modern-day historical dramas to shame.

Sejanus' arc is one of the more under-appreciated aspects of the series. While not as schemingly Machiavellian as main villain Livia (Sian Phillips), the character is a fearsome enforcer whose loyalty to Rome eventually mutates into a cruel desire to manipulate others to guarantee his own power. But rather than go into hammy villain mode at the soonest opportunity, Stewart keeps a lid on things right up to the moment where his character is openly betrayed. It's a true example of how less is sometimes more, particularly when playing powerful characters.