British Comedy Guide
Plebs. Image shows from L to R: Jason (Jon Pointing), Grumio (Ryan Sampson), Marcus (Tom Rosenthal). Copyright: RISE Films
Plebs

Plebs

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV2 / ITVX
  • 2013 - 2022
  • 39 episodes (5 series)

Modern comedy set in Ancient rome, following a trio of very normal blokes who certainly won't make the history books. Stars Tom Rosenthal, Ryan Sampson, Jon Pointing, Tom Basden, Ellie Taylor and more.

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Character guide

Plebs. Marcus (Tom Rosenthal). Copyright: RISE Films

Marcus

Played by: Tom Rosenthal

Unlikely to be immortalised in the annals or memorialised in a frieze, Marcus is a young man in Rome hoping to get laid, hold down a job and climb the social ladder.

Marcus is actually quite sensitive and caring, but normally manages to mess up his attempts to woo the opposite sex.

Plebs. Grumio (Ryan Sampson). Copyright: RISE Films

Grumio

Played by: Ryan Sampson

Grumio is Marcus and Stylax's slave. He's lazy with a major attitude problem, but still accompanies them everywhere, from the baths to the city's nightclubs.

With poor hygiene, low morale and a very lazy attitude to everything, Grumio is far from the ideal person for two lads looking to attract the ladies to hang around with... but he does prove to be useful sometimes.

Plebs. Jason (Jon Pointing). Copyright: RISE Films

Jason (Series 4-5)

Played by: Jon Pointing (as Jonathan Pointing)

Jason is the newest member of the gang. When not trying to get someone to have sex with him, he works as a builder.

Plebs. Aurelius (Tom Basden). Copyright: RISE Films

Aurelius

Played by: Tom Basden

Aurelius is the water boy at Flavia's office, although he does try to insist on being called the 'water man'. No matter, as it seems Flavia can never remember his name anyway.

One of the roles Aurelius must undertake is to supply water to Marcus and Stylax whilst they're working. This inevitably always leads to conflict... he's still trying to get over the fact the duo broke his water jug.

Plebs. Gloria (Ellie Taylor). Copyright: RISE Films

Gloria (Series 4-5)

Played by: Ellie Taylor

Gloria owns the launderette next to the Crown and Toga. She and Marcus have a bit of on-and-off flirting going on.

Plebs. Landlord (Karl Theobald). Copyright: RISE Films

Landlord

Played by: Karl Theobald

The landlord - real name unknown - is always on the look out for ways to make money.

He collects rent from Marcus and Stylax, but also has a number of other business sidelines. If you need a gladiator match fixed, a black market item or an alibi then he can sort that out... for a price, of course.

Plebs. Davus (Tom Davis). Copyright: RISE Films

Davus (Series 2-4)

Played by: Tom Davis

Davus is the Landlord's henchman. He's certainly built for the role.

Despite his seemingly gruff exterior, Davus is actually a kind, caring and sweet man... as we discover when he looks to adopt a child.

Plebs. Landlady (Maureen Lipman). Copyright: RISE Films

Landlady (Series 3-5)

Played by: Maureen Lipman

The Landlady presides over the squalid block, located in the worst part of town, that the lads live in. She is even more dodgy than their Landlord, and is regularly looking for new ways to increase their rent.

Plebs. Stylax (Joel Fry). Copyright: RISE Films

Stylax (Series 1-3)

Played by: Joel Fry

Like Marcus, Stylax is young and living in the suburbs of Rome. Stylax is energetic and highly sexed, and always up for an adventure. He manages to get himself into trouble quite often.

Stylax and Marcus work for Flavia, in a job that mainly involves copying scrolls out by hand.

Plebs. Flavia (Doon Mackichan). Copyright: RISE Films

Flavia (Series 1-4)

Played by: Doon Mackichan

Flavia is the boys' boss. She's an expert manipulator with a private life that's the stuff of legend.

Flavia runs her business in a manner that perhaps later inspired Alan Sugar. She knows what she wants done - and she'll make sure it always happens.

It appears that Flavia is perhaps interested in Stylax in a sexual sense. Stylax better hope not - she'd probably eat him alive.

Plebs. Delphine (Bella Dayne). Copyright: RISE Films

Delphine (Series 3)

Played by: Bella Dayne

Delphine is a fiery activist from Gaul who is in Rome to protest about the way animals are being treated during the games.

She meets Marcus when she needs a cover story to get away from a centurion. However, when the threat is over she still stays with Marcus, despite clearly being out of his league. She is now his official 'gaul-friend'.

Plebs. Cynthia (Sophie Colquhoun). Copyright: RISE Films

Cynthia (Series 1-2)

Played by: Sophie Colquhoun

Cynthia catches the attention of Marcus when she moves into the flat next door to the boys in the first series, and continues to live there in the second series too.

Cynthia comes from Briton and is hoping to become an actress. She is a little naive about city living. In fact, she's perhaps a few brain cells short generally... as is evidenced by the fact she thinks that the deaths in gladiator matches is just good acting by those involved.

Plebs. Metella (Lydia Rose Bewley). Copyright: RISE Films

Metella (Series 1-2)

Metella is Cynthia's sarcastic slave. She lived with Cynthia next door to the boy's flat in Series 1 and 2 and was very happy to speak her mind and point out flaws in the people and plans she came across... an attitude the lads don't find particularly welcome most of the time.

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