Megahit documentary series franchise “Apocalypse,” broadcast in 165 countries and watched by over 100 million viewers, is set to return for a first new season whose first installment, “Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome,” is produced by Imagissime, a label of French powerhouse Mediawan, and made in partnership with Mediawan Kids and Family.

Launched in 2009 with six-part series “Apocalypse: the Second World War,” a big ratings hit on French public broadcaster France Televisions, the franchise has always used cutting edge technology, in the case of this first season real life but colorized archive footage shot by WWII soldiers, war correspondent and members of the civil population. 

Turning on Ancient Rome, and more specifically on the Battle of Actium on Sept. 2 31 BC which decided the destiny of Ancient Rome, such footage is of course inexistent. 

In its stead, in a move which is sure to spark large industry attention, “Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome” is using Artificial Intelligence “to recreate the look and feel of original archival footage,” Mediawan announced Tuesday. 

Other constants of the series remain, Mediawan said: “the highest standards of historical scholarship” and an “immersive quality that defines the collection.” “This documentary series reflects Mediawan’s commitment to continuing to develop iconic formats and to building major leading franchises in France and internationally,” the French powerhouse added.

Directed by Thomas Marlier (“Secret Sardinia Mysteries of the Nuraghi”), the first episode of ““Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome” is set in BC 321 where Rome rules the world. But a decade of building rivalry and distrust between Julius Caesar’s heirs – Mark Antony, supported by Cleopatra,  and Octavian, Julius Caesar’s adopted son – comes to a climax in the sea battle of Actium. As Mediawan noted, its outcome will shape the Western world for centuries. 

“With ‘Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome,’ viewers are plunged into the heart of this founding moment, alongside the men and women who lived it. Through an unprecedented alliance between historical research and artificial intelligence, the film resurrects Antiquity with an unparalleled level of realism,” Mediawan announced Tuesday. “Every face, every ship and every landscape is grounded in ancient sources, the latest archaeological discoveries, and the work of leading international specialists,” it added.