TV Gold

Following on from favourite character talk that features in both the ?Secret Army? and ?Fall of Eagles? forums I would like to continue the trend with ?I Claudius?. However I?ve found this is a particularly difficult task when the calibre of acting in this series is of such a high standard.

Amongst likely candidates are Brian Blessed whom always offers ?good value for money? and in Augustus he certainly excels. There is that calm, jovial, diplomatic side which can so easily change to a booming aggressive portrayal so typical of the actors style of character portrayal. Making a welcome and restrained performance in keeping with the character is a ?curly haired? Patrick Stewart. Good though Sejanus is, and indeed he is, this character does not reach the same quality that his ?Fall of Eagles? ?Lenin? reaches. Credit is of course due to Derek Jacobi as both aged narrator and character participator he certainly makes the most of the opportunities that such a lead role offers. Claudius I suspect presents an interesting acting challenge with his stuttering, twitching and lame stance. Amongst other praiseworthy performances are John Hurt (as clearly mad Caligula), Stratford Johns (Senator Piso) and Christopher Biggins (Emperor Nero).

But for me there was never any doubt as to whom I could select as offering up the best performance of the series. Sian Phillips positive excels in the role of Livia who appears in half of the twelve episodes in this series. There is no finer example of the strengths of the character than in the second instalment, ?Waiting in the Wings? where she exudes a much more distinguished, self assured aspect than at any other time in I Claudius. Her scenes with Plautus are particularly indicative of Livia at the height of her powers. Clearly relishing her elevated position over others she is in full control of the situation and there is a distinct measured approach in her talk with the nervous youth.

Hard to quarrel with any of your choices, Sarah. Among the major characters, I'd have to go with Jacobi as Claudius and Phillips as Livia.

In smaller roles, I found John Castle really hot as Postumus. Sheila White was also very effective as Messalina.