When Netflix released the first season of Barbarians in October 2020, the response was overwhelming. The German-language series about the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD broke streaming records in Germany, hit the global top ten and was celebrated as „the German answer to Vikings”. Two seasons later, the story is over. Barbarians Season 3 will not happen. Netflix has not renewed the show, and the chances of a revival are slim.
For Roman history fans who hoped for a continuation of the saga of Arminius, Thusnelda and the Cherusci, this is bitter news. But there are alternatives, and quite a few of them. This article presents the best series, films and books that can fill the gap left by Arminius and the legions of Varus.
Why Netflix Cancelled Barbarians Season 3
The decision caught many fans by surprise. Netflix Barbarians delivered one of the most successful German series launches of all time. Season 2 arrived in October 2022 and continued the story of Arminius and Germanic resistance. After that, silence.
Netflix never issued a detailed official statement about the cancellation. Industry observers believe that viewing figures for season 2 were not strong enough to justify the high production costs. Historical series with elaborate costumes, battle scenes and location shoots are expensive. When global viewership drops, Netflix typically cancels such shows after two or three seasons, even when they remain popular in individual countries.
For German audiences, the loss hurts twice as much. Barbarians was not only historically ambitious but also linguistically unique: Romans spoke Latin, Germanic tribes spoke German. The authenticity set the show apart from American productions.
The Best German Roman Series as Barbarians Alternatives
German television has produced several historical dramas in recent years that are worth checking out for former Barbarians fans. None deal directly with the Teutoburg Forest, but they share the atmospheric and stylistic quality.
Die Nibelungen (ZDF): This new adaptation of the Germanic saga is expected in 2026 and is set during the migration period. Viewers who loved the mix of mythology, Germanic culture and Roman influence in Barbarians will find a direct successor here.
Roman Empire (Netflix): Although it is a docu-drama rather than a pure fiction series, its three seasons cover the reigns of Caligula, Julius Caesar and Commodus with dramatic scenes and expert interviews.
Arminius, Hero of the Germanic Tribes (ARTE): This docu-drama tells the story of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest from a Germanic perspective. Less bloody than Barbarians, but historically more precise.
International Roman Series for Teutoburg Fans
For viewers who accept English originals or dubbed versions, a whole world of historical Roman series opens up.
Rome (HBO): The two seasons from 2005 and 2007 are still considered the gold standard for antiquity drama. Set in the late Republic, the show follows the rise of Caesar and Octavian. It was cancelled prematurely because of its massive budget, but remains a must-watch for anyone who loved Barbarians.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand (Starz): This stylised gladiator series is deliberately over the top, but full of action, intrigue and atmosphere. Three seasons plus a prequel offer more than 30 hours of Roman drama.
Those About to Die (Peacock): Roland Emmerich’s 2024 series is set in ancient Rome under Emperor Vespasian. Anthony Hopkins shines as the ageing ruler while the show explores the bloody world of gladiatorial combat. According to the showrunner, a second season is in development and will cover the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD).
Britannia (Sky): Set in Roman-occupied Britain from 43 AD, this series covers the exact period of the Adler Saga Sons of Rome. Druids, tribal wars, Roman legions: Britannia is darker and more mystical than Barbarians, but thematically related.
Films About Arminius and the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Cinema also offers material for Arminius Teutoburg fans. Some films address the period directly, others the Roman military in general.
Die Hermannsschlacht (2016): This German production focuses on the battle in the Teutoburg Forest and portrays Arminius as an ambivalent hero. Less epic than Barbarians, but with serious historical ambition.
Gladiator and Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott’s classic from 2000 and the 2024 sequel show imperial Rome in all its glory and cruelty. Gladiator 3 is already in development and is scheduled to shoot in 2026 in Malta and Morocco. Paul Mescal will return as the lead.
Centurion (2010): Neil Marshall’s film deals with the disappearance of the Ninth Roman Legion (Legio IX Hispana) in Scotland. A must for fans of military drama and brutal battles in wild landscapes.
The Eagle (2011): Based on Rosemary Sutcliffe’s classic novel, this film also tackles the mystery of the Ninth Legion in Britain. Quieter than Centurion, but emotionally more intense.
Books About the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and Roman Britain
When the screen offers nothing new, the bookshelf often does. Historical Roman novels are a flourishing genre with a devoted fan base.
Simon Scarrow, Eagles of the Empire: The British author has been writing military historical novels about Roman legionaries Cato and Macro for more than twenty years. His series begins with the invasion of Britain in 43 AD and now spans over twenty volumes. Anyone who loved the Roman atmosphere of Barbarians will find an endless continuation in Scarrow.
Conn Iggulden, Emperor Series: Iggulden tells the story of Julius Caesar as a gripping adventure novel. Five volumes take the reader from the young Caesar to the Ides of March.
Robert Harris, Cicero Trilogy: For readers who enjoy political drama against a historical backdrop, Harris is essential. The trilogy about the orator and statesman Cicero is brilliantly researched and beautifully written.
What Remains After Barbarians Season 3?
The end of Netflix Barbarians is a loss but not a catastrophe. The Germanic-Roman era is so rich in material that it has fed films, series and books for decades and will continue to do so. Anyone who has ever felt the fascination of the Teutoburg battle will always find new entry points: a Netflix series, an HBO epic, or a novel devoured over a weekend.
For me as an author of historical novels, this era is an inexhaustible source. The Romans in Britain, the Germanic tribes in the Teutoburg Forest, the legionaries on the borders of the empire, each of these worlds has its own stories, its own heroes and its own tragedies. As long as there are readers who long for such tales, the genre will not die. Whatever Netflix decides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Barbarians Season 3 on Netflix?
No, Netflix did not renew the series after the second season. A third season is not in production and is currently not planned. The reasons likely lie in production costs and declining international viewing figures after season 2.
What is the best alternative to Barbarians?
For fans of the Germanic-Roman era, the British series Britannia on Sky is a strong recommendation. It also takes place in Roman-occupied antiquity but focuses on early imperial Britain. HBO’s Rome and Peacock’s Those About to Die are equally excellent alternatives.
Will the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest be adapted again?
No new project has been officially announced. The ARTE production Arminius and the 2016 German film Die Hermannsschlacht are the most recent major adaptations. However, new novels about Arminius, Varus and the Teutoburg battle appear regularly in German-language publishing.
Which books are similar to Barbarians?
Readers who want the Barbarians atmosphere in novel form should try Simon Scarrow’s Eagles of the Empire, Conn Iggulden’s Emperor series and Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy. Marc Beuster’s Adler Saga Sons of Rome also offers military historical drama set in Roman Britain.
Why did Netflix cancel Barbarians?
Netflix never issued a detailed official explanation. Industry observers believe global viewership in season 2 was not strong enough to justify the high production costs. Historical series with elaborate location shoots and battle scenes are expensive and are often cancelled by Netflix after two seasons.
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