Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston review – you will cringe so hard you turn to cheese
The Guardian’s review of the National Geographic series highlights Tom Hiddleston’s emotional narration and re-enactments of the AD 79 eruption, noting his interactions with experts and his attempt to trace the stories of three Pompeians.
The Guardian published a review of the National Geographic docudrama Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston on 23 July 2026. The three-part series features actor Tom Hiddleston narrating and participating in re-enactments of the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The review characterises the series as embarrassing and exhausting yet undeniably entertaining, noting its blend of historical evidence, CGI re-enactments, and dramatic interpretation.
Hiddleston’s involvement is rooted in a personal connection to the site, having visited Pompeii in 1998 at age 17, which inspired him to study Latin and classics. He collaborates with Prof Steven L Tuck, leader of the Pompeii Survivors’ Project, to identify three potential survivors: a boy named Lucius Avianius, a bathhouse owner named Julia, and a third individual implied through the narrative structure.
The review highlights specific moments of Hiddleston’s performance, including his emotional narration, his translation of Latin inscriptions, and his interactions with experts labelled on-screen as Helpful Classicist, Helpful Archaeologist, and Helpful Geoscientist. Hiddleston initially misidentifies Julia as Julius before an expert clarifies the historical context of women holding property and power in ancient Pompeii.
The series includes CGI re-enactments and scripted emotional arcs, blending factual history with dramatic interpretation. The review references the Roman concept where the word for story and history are the same, reflecting the series' blend of evidence and imagination. It also mentions the Roman fleet's rescue mission from the Bay of Naples during the eruption.
Tom Hiddleston is described as a born actor with a career blending lucrative and prestigious work. The review notes that while the series may induce cringe, it remains engaging for viewers interested in the ancient world, fulfilling its contractual obligations while delivering an emotionally charged experience.