What is Alexander: Making of a God about? Netflix documentary explained

Alexander: The Making of a God, a compelling new documentary drama series about Alexander the Great, has landed on Netflix – here’s what it’s about, who’s in the cast, and if it’s worth watching. 

Netflix continues to expand its non-fiction category with compelling and fascinating documentaries, starting off 2024 with You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, which no doubt helped inspire some of those New Year’s Resolutions. 

In the true crime arena, American Nightmare made waves with audiences, detailing the so-called “Gone Girl kidnapping,” while putting the Vallejo Police Department and FBI agent David Sesma in the hot seat. 

But if you’re interested in history, the streamer just rounded off January with a new docu-drama about ancient Macedonian ruler Alexander the Great – with the series streaming now, here’s everything you need to know about Alexander: The Making of a God. 

What is Alexander: Making of a God about?

Alexander: The Making of a God is a six-part documentary series on Netflix that combines historical facts and new knowledge about Alexander the Great’s meteoric rise with dramatic reenactments of his mythic life. 

Check out the trailer below: 

As described by Netflix: “You’ve likely heard of Alexander the Great – the warrior prince who became a legendary Hellenic ruler of most of the known Western world. However, Alexander: The Making of a God recounts the historical icon’s conquests in a new way, using contemporary accounts and fact-based archaeology, much of which is based on ongoing excavations being undertaken by Greek archeologist Calliope Limneos-Papakosta in Alexandria, Egypt, the city that Alexander the Great founded.”

The streamer goes on to explain that the “docuseries explores the extraordinary path of the young, exiled man determined to find his place in the world following his father’s assassination, quickly uniting his country in a campaign for dominance. Alexander pursued an unrelenting obsession with defeating the Persian King Darius, and his ambition led to his claim of the largest Western empire in history, from Greece to part of India, in just under six years. 

“In addition to expert academic insight and the revelations from Limneos-Papkosta’s groundbreaking archaeology. Alexander: The Making of a God reenacts dramatic details of Alexander’s mythic life during his rise.”

Alexander: Making of a God cast – Who’s in it?

For the reenactments, the cast for Alexander: The Making of a God includes:

• Buck Braithwaite as Alexander
• Mido Hamada as Darius
• Agni Scott as Stateira
• Will Stevens as Hephaestion
• Dino Kelly as Ptolemy

Alongside Alexander’s rise is Darius’ fall, with Netflix noting that “his inability to either placate the Greeks with diplomacy or defeat them in battle results in Darius losing his family, his crown, and his prominent place in history.”

Netflix

As for Hephaestion and Ptolemy, they were both close friends to Alexander, as detailed by experts in the series. Alexander: The Making of a God also explores the historical leader’s sexuality, with Dr. Salima Ikram of the American University of Cairo stating: “Hephaestion really was not just a cherished companion, but perhaps [Alexander’s] greatest love.”

Adding to the conversation, Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones of Cardiff University explains that sexuality was not so linear in Ancient Greece. “Same-sex relationships were quite the norm throughout the Greek world,” he said. “The Greeks did not have a word for homosexuality, or to be gay. It just wasn’t in their vocabulary whatsoever. There was just being sexual.”

Is Alexander: The Making of a God worth watching?

Though it’s too early for a Rotten Tomatoes score, Alexander: The Making of a God has received a number of positive reviews so far, as well as some mixed feedback.

Decider suggested to “stream it,” stating that while its format leaves it feeling disjointed at times, “Alexander: The Making Of A God is one of the better of this strange docuseries-scripted hybrid shows we’ve seen.”

FilmyNakrai added, “Whether you’re a history buff fascinated by Alexander’s military genius or simply someone who enjoys a well-told story about ambition, power, and the human condition, Alexander: The Making of a God is a must-watch.”

Elsewhere, Pinkvilla said: “The show provides an intriguing exploration of Alexander the Great’s life, but it may leave viewers questioning whether the hybrid approach does justice to the extensive historical narrative. Ultimately, whether to watch or skip the series may depend on one’s appetite for the unique storytelling blend offered by this ambitious show.”

Alexander: The Making of a God is available to stream on Netflix now, and you can find more of our documentaries coverage here.