Roar (1997 TV series)
A fantasy adventure series set in 400 AD Ireland.
Roar is a fantasy adventure television series created by Shaun Cassidy. It originally aired on the Fox network from July 14 until September 1, 1997, and was cancelled after eight episodes due to low ratings, with the final five episodes having already aired in some international markets before 2000. The series is set in the year 400 AD and follows a young Irish man, Conor (Heath Ledger), as he seeks to unite the Celtic clans and rid his land of invading Romans.
- created_by
- Shaun Cassidy
- original_run
- July 14 – September 1, 1997 (first eight episodes); final five episodes aired in some international markets before 2000
- setting
- 400 AD, Hibernia (ancient Ireland)
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Fantasy / Adventure
- Creator
- Shaun Cassidy / Ron Koslow
- Starring
- Heath Ledger / Lisa Zane / Sebastian Roché / Vera Farmiga / John Saint Ryan / Alonzo Greer
- Theme Music Composer
- Jon Ehrlich
- Country
- United States / Australia
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 13 (5 unaired)
- Producer
- Howard Grigsby
- Executive Producer
- Shaun Cassidy / Ron Koslow / Michael Nankin
- Location
- Queensland, Australia
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Roar chronicles the life of Conor (Heath Ledger), a 20-year-old orphaned prince who must rise above tragedy to lead his people to freedom. Conor takes on a band of ragtag allies that include Tully (Alonzo Greer), a teenage apprentice magician; Catlin (Vera Farmiga), a beautiful former slave; and Fergus (John Saint Ryan), Conor's big-hearted, ebullient protector. Their primary struggle is against Longinus (Sebastian Roché), a supernatural creature whose true essence is that of a 400-year-old Roman centurion ready to do the bidding of evil Queen Diana (Lisa Zane), who is an emissary of the Romans. In this fight for freedom, what is most important for Conor and his people is the Roar – the roar of the land, the roar of the people – a voice that echoes through every living creature and is the power of life.
Reader's Guide
Roar was created by Shaun Cassidy on the heels of the success of the syndicated programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. However, Roar was not very well received in the United States and lasted for only one season. The show freely mixed Christian mythology, Celtic mythology, Druidism, and smatterings of history. One of the major villains was Longinus, an immortal cursed by God for interfering with his plans; by Christian tradition, Longinus was the centurion who stabbed Jesus Christ with his spear during the Crucifixion. The series was cancelled, according to Sebastian Roché, because it was up against Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While the original North American airing did not broadcast all episodes, when syndicated to Australia, Canada and the UK, all episodes were aired. Roar: The Complete Series was released on DVD on September 19, 2006, including all thirteen episodes. Two books based on the Roar universe were published in 1998, written by William T. Quick writing as 'Sean Kiernan': Roar: A Novel and Roar: The Cauldron.
Did You Know?
- The series was cancelled after eight episodes due to low ratings, and the final five episodes had already aired in some international markets before 2000.
- According to Sebastian Roché, the show was cancelled because it was up against Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- Two books based on the Roar universe were published in 1998, written by William T. Quick writing as 'Sean Kiernan'.
- The series freely mixed Christian mythology, Celtic mythology, Druidism, and smatterings of history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roar (1997 TV series)?
Roar is a fantasy adventure series created by Shaun Cassidy that broadcast on Fox during the summer of 1997. It follows a young Irish warrior named Conor, portrayed by Heath Ledger, as he rallies the Celtic clans against Roman invaders in 400 AD.
Who is the main character in Roar (1997) and what is his goal?
The protagonist is Conor, a young Irish man played by Heath Ledger. His central mission throughout the series is to unite the fractured Celtic tribes and drive the Roman forces out of Hibernia.
How many episodes of Roar (1997) were produced and aired?
Thirteen episodes were produced in total, but only the first eight aired during the original Fox run from July 14 to September 1, 1997. The remaining five episodes were later released in select international markets before the year 2000.
Why was Roar (1997) cancelled after so few episodes?
The series struggled to build a strong audience during its summer 1997 Fox slot. The network pulled the plug after just eight episodes because ratings remained consistently low.
What time period and setting does Roar (1997) take place in?
The story unfolds in the year 400 AD in Hibernia, the ancient name for Ireland. The plot revolves around the clash between native Celtic clans and the expanding Roman military presence in the region.
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