What if history wasn’t just something you read about—but something you could witness as it unfolded?
That is the compelling question at the heart of National Geographic’s latest documentary event, Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston, a three-part docudrama that blends cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge scientific investigation to revisit one of history’s most devastating natural disasters.
Premiering on Sunday, 26 July 2026, the series will air on National Geographic (DStv 181 and StarTimes 220), with all three episodes broadcast back-to-back. South African audiences will also be able to stream the complete series on Disney+.
A Journey Into the Past
Golden Globe® and Olivier Award-winning actor Tom Hiddleston, best known for portraying Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for his acclaimed performance in The Night Manager, steps into an entirely different role—as a guide through one of history’s most fascinating mysteries.
Reuniting with “Loki” executive producer Kevin R. Wright, Hiddleston leads viewers through the final hours before Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, burying the Roman city of Pompeii beneath volcanic ash.
Rather than focusing solely on destruction, the series reconstructs the lives of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Working alongside archaeologists, historians, geologists and disaster specialists, Hiddleston examines new evidence that challenges long-held assumptions about the tragedy—including findings suggesting that many residents may have had opportunities to survive.
History Meets Cinematic Storytelling
One of the defining features of Pompeii: Out of Time is its innovative storytelling approach.
The series combines investigative documentary filmmaking with scripted dramatic recreations, allowing viewers to experience ancient Rome through the eyes of real historical figures.
Throughout the series, Hiddleston appears within cinematic sequences that follow three individuals whose lives intersected with the eruption:
- A teenage apprentice.
- A successful businesswoman.
- A mysterious Praetorian Guard.
As Vesuvius awakens, each is forced to make life-changing decisions while racing against an unfolding catastrophe.
Their stories become the emotional thread connecting scientific discoveries with the human experience behind one of history’s most iconic disasters.
Tom Hiddleston’s Lifelong Fascination with the Ancient World
For Hiddleston, the project represents more than another acting role.
The actor describes the ancient world as a lifelong passion.
“The ancient world has compelled my imagination and curiosity for as long as I can remember: I’ve been fascinated by it all my life.”
He explains that visiting Pompeii creates an extraordinary connection between the present and the past.
“Pompeii is often remembered for how its story ended. But by looking closer, we can uncover the details of people’s lives, the choices they made, and the moments that came before the city was buried.”
Hiddleston adds that helping bring these forgotten human stories back into the spotlight has been “a genuine honor.”
A New Chapter in History Programming
Executive producer Kevin R. Wright, whose work on Marvel’s Loki helped redefine visual storytelling, brings that same cinematic ambition to National Geographic.
Instead of presenting Pompeii purely as a historical disaster, the production reframes it as a deeply personal story about resilience, sacrifice and survival.
According to Tom McDonald, Executive Vice President of Content at National Geographic, the collaboration has resulted in something entirely new.
“Working with Tom and Kevin, alongside the team at Plimsoll, has been a process of inventing an entirely new genre of history programming—one which brings evidence and imagination together in a way which feels distinctive.”
The series combines archaeological discoveries, expert analysis and dramatic reconstruction to create an immersive viewing experience unlike traditional history documentaries.
New Discoveries Continue to Rewrite Ancient Rome
The television series arrives alongside fresh archaeological research that continues to reshape our understanding of Roman civilisation.
On 21 July, National Geographic will publish a major feature exploring three Roman cities destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, ahead of the August issue of National Geographic magazine.
Using artificial intelligence and advanced DNA analysis, researchers are uncovering new insights into ancient Roman life.
Their work explores topics including:
- Social class and gender dynamics at Oplontis.
- Previously unreadable writings recovered from Herculaneum’s carbonised scrolls.
- Evidence of diet and disease uncovered through a Pompeii latrine.
Together, these discoveries reveal a society grappling with issues of inequality, health and everyday life that still resonate today.
Original Soundtrack Releases Ahead of Premiere
Adding another dimension to the experience, the original soundtrack for Pompeii: Out of Time features a score composed by Aisling Brouwer.
The soundtrack will be released through Hollywood Records on 24 July 2026, two days before the series premieres.
Premiere Details
South African viewers can watch Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston from Sunday, 26 July 2026, on National Geographic (DStv 181 and StarTimes 220), with all three episodes airing consecutively.
The complete series will also be available to stream on Disney+ South Africa.
By combining science, archaeology, cinematic storytelling and human emotion, Pompeii: Out of Time promises to transform one of history’s most familiar tragedies into an intimate exploration of the lives, hopes and choices of the people who lived through it.
