A NEW docu-drama detailing the life of Julius Caesar has premiered on the BBC – with a Somerset attraction playing a starring role.

The Newt in Somerset’s Roman Villa is the location for many of the dramatic scenes in BBC Two’s Julius Caeser: The Making of a Dictator, which debuted on BBC Two on Monday night (November 27).

History fans tuning in will have been wowed by the realistic Rome serving as a backdrop throughout – which is the faithfully-recreated villa at the Somerset location, near Castle Cary.

The villa is the location for Caesar’s debates in the Roman Senate, for his home, and many more important locations as his story is told on-screen.

Roman senators as portrayed in the BBC series Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator. Picture: BBC

The Making of a Dictator is a three-part docu-drama telling the story of Casar’as rise – and fall.

It features the likes of historian Tom Holland and former politician, Rory Stewart, detailing Caesar’s life – and featuring the likes of Stewart making some often-shocking comparisons with modern day politics.

READ MORE: Chance for Somerset people to star in BBC docu-drama on Julius Caesar

Filming for the show took place in the summer, with the villa closed to visitors in July.

However, some of those appearing alongside Caesar in ancient Rome are Somerset locals – extras cast at The Newt.

The BBC docu-drama tells the story of Julius Caesar – with The Newt as a location. Picture: BBC

The second episode of Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator is set to be shown at Monday at 9pm. Viewers can catch up with the first episode on BBC iPlayer.

For more information on The Newt in Somerset, log on to thenewtinsomerset.com.