Netflix’s upcoming drama slate is looking pretty stacked, but few projects are generating quite as much buzz as The Roman. Set against the ruthless backdrop of Las Vegas, this eight-part miniseries is shaping up to be essential viewing for fans of high-stakes corporate warfare.
The story dives straight into the volatile world of Sin City's elite, following a powerful casino boss who has to pull out all the stops to protect his empire and his reputation. It has got all the ingredients of a classic prestige thriller, combining a glamorous setting with a cut-throat narrative that aims to keep viewers hooked from the opening scene.
What is The Roman about?
Created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, The Roman stars Oscar Isaac as Robert "Bobby Red" Redman, president of Las Vegas's most popular casino. Amidst a billion-dollar industry shaped by ambition, glamour, and power struggles, he will have to make risky decisions to stay on top.
To do so, he relies on the influence of his wife Marla Blake, played by Betty Gilpin, an extremely powerful and well-connected lawyer, and Paul "Primo" Clark, played by Alec Baldwin, who is not only a father figure to him but also an excellent business strategist and longtime chairman of the organization.
Since the miniseries will consist of only eight episodes, audiences can expect a direct and intense narrative, using the casino as a mere backdrop for a drama that promises to hold the viewer's attention from start to finish.
Getting to know the cast of The Roman
Besides Oscar Isaac, Betty Gilpin, and Alec Baldwin, impressive names have been confirmed for the series.
Oscar Isaac
In addition to being an acclaimed actor, Isaac is also a musician and songwriter. It is safe to say that these lesser-known talents were crucial in him being chosen to portray the musicians Reeves and Llewyn Davis. In fact, it was his performance in Inside Llewyn Davis that helped him gain widespread recognition within the industry. Among his main achievements are the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of Nick Wasicsko in Show Me a Hero and the Best Actor award for his role as Ricardo in the short film Letter Rooms. He also gained worldwide fame for playing pilot Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, a role he portrayed across three films.
Betty Gilpin
Portraying Debbie "Liberty Belle" in GLOW, a series developed by Netflix between 2017 and 2019, Betty Gilpin earned no fewer than three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress. As Mo Dean in Gaslit, taking on a character considered far more complex, she was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress, this time by the Critics’ Choice Television Awards. However, it was her role in Peacock's Mrs. Davis that marked an even bigger milestone, where she not only starred as the protagonist but also received a Best Actress nomination at the TCA Awards.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin's nearly 40-year career has consolidated him as a highly versatile actor, making him a wild card for any director. Moving between comedic and more serious roles, the actor has racked up dozens of major award nominations, winning the best actor award several times for his role as Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock.
David Costabile
After gaining international recognition for playing the eccentric chemist Gale Boetticher in Breaking Bad, David Costabile became a fan favorite as Wags in Billions, a setting that may share some similarities with The Roman. The series reunites the actor with Brian Koppelman and David Levien. This time, Costabile will portray Bill Saverick, the operator of a rival casino and a former ally of Bobby Red.
Jimmy O. Yang
In The Roman, Jimmy O. Yang faces the challenge of stepping into a much more serious and dramatic environment as Rich Tzu, one of Bobby Red's biggest rivals. Up until now, the actor and comedian has been best known for roles that primarily showcased his comedic talent. With this new series, he will have the opportunity to show a completely different side of his acting abilities.
Big names behind the scenes
The buzz around The Roman goes further than just a slick premise and an impressive cast list. Showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien come to the project off the back of steering Billions through seven seasons, proving they know how to handle sharp dialogue and high-stakes corporate warfare.
Having Martin Scorsese on board as an executive producer adds serious weight to the production. He famously directed Casino in 1995, capturing the traditional, neon-soaked world of physical Vegas pits. However, the modern gaming landscape is a different beast entirely, where physical casino floors now share space with digital casinos hosting games like live roulette online. By setting the drama in today's multi-billion dollar climate, the series can explore how old-school power struggles adapt to a modern, tech-driven entertainment industry.
When will The Roman arrive on Netflix?
The series is currently moving through the final stages of pre-production, with cameras scheduled to start rolling in July 2026. Netflix has not locked down a specific premiere date just yet, but the shooting schedule gives a fairly clear picture of when the show will land on our screens.
Given the extensive post-production work required for a glossy, prestige drama of this scale, an early to mid-2027 release window looks highly probable. It means a bit of a wait for TV fans, but with this level of creative pedigree involved, it should be well worth it.