Ancient Rome origins story films at Cinecitta Studios

A lengthy new drama series exploring the origins of Ancient Rome is in pre-production in the Italian capital with Cinecitta Studios as its production base.

Domina has been created by Simon Burke for delivery to Sky Italia and Sky Atlantic and comes from UK-based production company Fifty Fathoms, makers of Fortitude. 

In February 2018, plans were announced to expand Cinecitta Studios, which shortly before had reverted to state ownership after years in private hands. 

The site is one of the world’s most iconic production facilities with a roll-call of filmmakers including Bernardo Bertolucci, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese all having made movies there. 

More recent inhabitants include director Paolo Sorrentino who filmed The Young Pope and follow-up The New Pope at the famous studios. 

Italy’s film-friendly profile is on the rise generally as it competes with its regional rivals Bulgaria and Hungary to attract inward investment.

The country recently hosted filming on George Clooney’s Catch-22 while local reports earlier this year said that Bond 25 was filming in Matera, a city that had also provided the backdrop for scenes in Wonder Woman.