On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Spanish public broadcaster La 1 transforms into a showcase for epic historical cinema, culminating in the television premiere of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II on ‘La película de la semana’ at 22:40, preceded by afternoon broadcasts of Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
The Bottom Line
- Prime-Time Premieres: Gladiator II lands on La 1’s ‘La película de la semana’ at 22:40 hours on Sunday, September 27, 2026, immediately following the UEFA Nations League match between Norway and Portugal.
- The Ridley Scott Block: The evening broadcast is preceded by an afternoon dedicated entirely to the director’s historical epics, starting with 2000’s Academy Award-winning Gladiator at 15:55 hours.
- <Star-Studded Casts: The day’s lineup features heavy-hitting casts across all three films, including Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Orlando Bloom, and Liam Neeson.
Prime-Time Glory: The Arrival of Gladiator II
The centerpiece of La 1’s Sunday event is the 22:40 hours broadcast of Gladiator II. This continuation arrives 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, shifting the focus to his descendant Lucius. Living in North Africa, Lucius finds his world upended while Rome groans under the ruthless rule of co-emperors Geta and Caracalla.
Directed once again by Ridley Scott, the feature brings a fresh ensemble cast to the Colosseum. Paul Mescal steps into the leading role of Lucius, joined by Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal.
The Foundation: Reliving the Original Masterpiece
Before the modern chapter unfolds, La 1 establishes the historical stakes with the film that started it all. At 15:55 hours, the network broadcasts Ridley Scott’s 2000 masterpiece, Gladiator. Starring Russell Crowe as the betrayed general Maximus Decimus Meridius and Joaquin Phoenix as the tyrannical Emperor Commodus, the film famously revitalized a dormant historical epic genre.
Winner of five Academy Awards—including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe—and two Golden Globes, the original production relied on gritty action, complex political intrigue, and unforgettable supporting turns from Oliver Reed and Richard Harris.
Expanding the Empire Through The Crusades
Bridging the gap between the two Colosseum tales at 18:20 hours is Kingdom of Heaven. Another monumental historical epic directed by Ridley Scott, this feature transports viewers to the 12th-century Crusades.
Orlando Bloom stars as Balian of Ibelin alongside an immense ensemble cast that includes Liam Neeson, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, and Brendan Gleeson.
| Broadcast Time | Film Title | Director | Key Cast Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:55 | Gladiator (2000) | Ridley Scott | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris |
| 18:20 | Kingdom of Heaven (2005) | Ridley Scott | Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis |
| 22:40 | Gladiator II (2024) | Ridley Scott | Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal |
