A royal reception

Israeli action star Lior Raz meets King Charles at London premiere

Fauda’s Raz shakes hands with UK monarch on the red carpet for much-anticipated sequel Gladiator II, which stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal

Israeli actor Lior Raz meets King Charles III at premier of Gladiator II in London, UK, November 13, 2024. (Screenshot @hebroyalUK on X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Israeli actor Lior Raz meets King Charles III at premier of Gladiator II in London, UK, November 13, 2024. (Screenshot @hebroyalUK on X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

At the London premiere of the new Gladiator II, Israeli star Lior Raz, who is featured in Ridley Scott’s epic sequel, crossed paths with an unlikely movie fan on the red carpet: King Charles III.

Best known for creating and starring in the hit Israeli action series Fauda, Raz was filmed shaking hands with the British monarch alongside his fellow cast members, including Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.

The King, who attended the premiere without Queen Camilla, who is recovering from an illness, is an avid movie fan and is the patron of The Film and TV Charity, a UK-based nonprofit that hosted the event.

Raz plays the character Vigo in the film, a retired gladiator who is tasked with training and mentoring young fighters.

The Israeli actor attended the film’s premiere accompanied by his wife, Meital Barda.

While he has featured in a number of international films and TV shows during his career, Gladiator II is Raz’s first major role in a big Hollywood movie.

The movie, which stars Irish actor Paul Mescal alongside Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pascal, is the sequel to the acclaimed Roman Empire epic Gladiator, which came out in 2000.

The original, which starred Russel Crowe as a former general turned gladiator Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as the young Roman emperor Commodus, won multiple Oscars, including the Academy Award for best motion picture.

The highly anticipated sequel takes place 16 years after the events of the first film, and follows young gladiator Lucius looking for revenge.

The film hits theaters in Israel on Thursday night.

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