Before he was Marvel’s God of Mischief, Tom Hiddleston got a degree in Classics. Now, he’s merging his longtime interest in the ancient world with his entertainment career as the host and executive producer of a new documentary series on National Geographic.
Premiering tonight, July 22, “Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston” will tell the story of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in an innovative way that builds off a standout scene in the first season of Marvel’s “Loki” series where Loki (Hiddleston) and Mobius (Owen Wilson) use time-twisting technology to go back to 79 A.D. in the hours before Vesuvius erupted.
‘pompeii: out of time’: what to know
- When: July 22, 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: National Geographic
- Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free); Disney+ and Hulu (from July 23)
Hiddleston developed “Pompeii: Out of Time” with executive producer Kevin R. Wright, who pitched Hiddleston on what became “Loki” eight years ago. That Season 1 scene, unknowingly at the time, became a test drive of sorts for what the documentary series is now.
Blending scripted drama (and a few time-twisting inventions) with investigative documentary storytelling, “Pompeii: Out of Time” uncovers remarkable evidence and the stories of real people that challenge long-held assumptions about Pompeii and its final hours, guided by a team of archaeologists, historians, geologists and disaster experts.
‘Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston’ release date
“Pompeii: Out of Time” premieres tonight, July 22, at 8 p.m. ET on National Geographic. All three episodes of the docuseries will air back-to-back tonight.
Where to watch ‘Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston’ for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream “Pompeii: Out of Time” live for free.
DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching TV live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes National Geographic as part of its 125+ channels.
‘Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston’ episodes
As noted above, all three episodes of “Pompeii: Out of Time” will air back-to-back.
- Episode 1: “Tremors” – 8 p.m. ET
- “As Vesuvius begins to stir, Tom Hiddleston asks a crucial question: Will anyone recognize the warning signs in time? Tracing two real Romans — a teenage apprentice and a formidable businesswoman — he uncovers a city carrying on as earthquakes intensify. With the clock already ticking, Tom investigates why people ignore danger and whether these first decisions sealed their fate.”
- Episode 2: “Eruption” – 9 p.m. ET
- “As Vesuvius erupts, Tom Hiddleston asks: In the face of chaos, who escapes, and who takes control? Following Avianius, racing to save his mother, and Julia Felix, sheltering her household, he also uncovers a mysterious Praetorian Guard in Herculaneum. Is he a bystander or a leader? As darkness falls and the first deadly phase hits, Tom investigates whether anyone can still get out alive.”
- Episode 3: “Survival” – 10 p.m. ET
- “As the final, lethal surges strike, Tom Hiddleston confronts the final question: What does it mean to survive? Investigating Julia Felix’s final decision, the Praetorian’s sacrifice and the fate of Avianius, Tom uncovers new evidence that challenges everything we think we know about Pompeii. In the face of total destruction, he reveals not just who lived but what survival really meant.”
‘Pompeii: Out of Time’ Disney+ release
All three episodes of “Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston” will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu tomorrow, July 23.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
