Cast, Contributors Announced for History's Docu-Drama BARBARIANS RISING

HISTORY, announced today the cast and contributors for the global eight-part docu-drama, "Barbarians Rising." The cast portrays the legendary warriors as they're engaged in one of mankind's most timeless struggles - the fight for freedom.

"Barbarians Rising" features the true stories of nine of history's greatest warriors, the cast includes Nicholas Pinnock (Captain America: The First Avenger; Fortitude) as Hannibal, who vowed a blood oath at the age of nine to destroy Rome; Ben Batt (The Edge of Love; "Shameless (UK)") as Spartacus, the slave-turned-rebel who led a barbarian revolt; Kirsty Mitchell ("The Royal Today;" "River City") as Boudica, the avenging Celtic warrior Queen; Tom Hopper ("Black Sails;" "Merlin") as Arminius, the son of Germany surrendered to Rome; Emil Hostina (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts I and II) as Attila, scourge of the east; Gavin Drea (What Richard Did; "Love/Hate") as Alaric, the king of the Goths; Steven Waddington (The Imitation Game) as Fritigern, the warrior who took down an Emperor; Richard Brake (Batman Begins; "Game of Thrones") as Geiseric, the last barbarian standing; and Jefferson Hall ("Vikings;" "Game of Thrones") as Viriathus, the shepherd-turned-rebel leader.

To reveal the fact-based history behind the legends, HISTORY and October Films amassed an eclectic group of experts and contributors that includes General Wesley Clark, U.S. Army (Ret.) and Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander; Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, one of the first female combat veterans' in the U.S. Congress; Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Leader; Dr. Clarence B. Jones, speechwriter and advisor to Martin LUTHER King Jr.; CSM Eric L. Haney, U.S. Army (Ret.); Dr. Darius Arya, American Institute for Roman Culture (U.S.); Professor Barry Strauss, Cornell University (U.S.); Dr. Virginia Campbell, University of Oxford(U.S.); Dr. Dan-El Padilla Peralta, Princeton University (U.S.); Dr. Steve Kershaw, University of Oxford (U.K.); Colonel Kevin W. Farrell, military historian(U.S.); Professor Noel Lenski, Yale University (U.S.); Professor Peter Heather, King's College London (U.K.); Vanessa Collingridge, author (U.K.); Valerio Massimo Manfredi, archaeologist and writer (Italy); and Professor Walter Pohl, University of Vienna (Austria).

"Barbarians Rising" tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman EMPIRE from the perspective of the barbarian rebel leaders. It is a visceral journey into the heart of a wave of rebellions against absolute power. The Roman EMPIRE called them "barbarians" - tribes the Romans viewed beyond the FRINGE of civilization that lived a brutish and violent existence. However, these were also men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come.

The eight-part docu-drama reveals the true story of the 700-year battle to bring down one of strongest empires the world has ever known, "Barbarians Rising" is a global co-production for HISTORY in the US and internationally. This limited event series is slated to premiere in 2016 across 185+ territories.

Scheduled HISTORY 2016 premiere windows and dates include: U.S., June 6; United Kingdom, June 22; Australia, July 4; Canada, June 6; Europe, July 17; German-speaking Germany, Austria and Switzerland, September 9-12; India, July; Italy, July 4; Latin America, August; Poland, June 28; Romania, June 26; South Africa, June 20; Southeast Asia, June 7; Japan, fall 2016; and Spain/Portugal, fall 2016.

"Barbarians Rising" is a global co-production for HISTORY channels worldwide produced by October Films. Executive producers for HISTORY are Kristen Burns, Russ McCarroll and Paul Cabana. Adam Bullmore is executive producer, Simon George (HISTORY's "World War II From Space") is executive director, and Michael Waterhouse (HISTORY's "The Bible") is series producer for October Films.

A+E Networks handles worldwide distribution for "Barbarians Rising".