Dustin Hoffman, 78, films dramatic death scene in period costume for gripping new TV drama Medici: Masters Of Florence in Italy

Dustin Hoffman kicked off filming for his latest project, a historical drama based on the Medici family's rise to power in Florence, in Italy on Saturday.

The 78-year-old star has signed up to play the patriarch of the famous Italian family in an eight-part TV series, Medici: Masters Of Florence, alongside Game of Thrones' Richard Madden.

Playing the founder of the trade and banking dynasty, Giovanni, the Oscar-winning actor was seen in full historical costume filming his character's death. 

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Lord of the manor: Dustin Hoffman kicked off filming for his latest project, a historical drama based on the Medici family's rise to power in Florence, in Italy on Saturday

Lord of the manor: Dustin Hoffman kicked off filming for his latest project, a historical drama based on the Medici family's rise to power in Florence, in Italy on Saturday

Reclining on a wooden bench and table in a garden, Dustin can be seen praying meditatively with a rosary whilst munching on a bowl of grapes.

Clad in a lilac and purple belted smock, with a white shirt underneath, black trouser and brown leather boots, the Little Fockers star certainly looked the part of a rich Florentine merchant.

With his grey hair slightly tousled and worn short yet shaggy, Dustin appeared younger than his years as he shot his first scenes as the astute renaissance banking lord.

Obviously filming the scenes of Giovanni's - full name Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici - final moments, the actor was seen launching the food and bowl into the air as he collapsed to the floor. 

Master Of Florence: Dustin, 78, has signed up to play the patriarch of the famous Italian family in an eight-part TV series, Medici: Masters Of Florence, alongside Game of Throne's Richard Madden

Master Of Florence: Dustin, 78, has signed up to play the patriarch of the famous Italian family in an eight-part TV series, Medici: Masters Of Florence, alongside Game of Throne's Richard Madden

Sending his faithful co-star scurrying off camera, Dustin was seen lurching and falling to the ground as he filmed the the Medici founder's final throws of life.

Dustin and Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden - famous for playing Rob Stark - are set to bring alive the story of Giovanni and his son Cosimo's rise to the very centre of Renaissance power and politics as the heads of the influential Medici banking empire.

Richard, who starred in this year's live action adaptation of Disney's Cinderella opposite Lily James, is set to play Giovanni's cunning and astute son Cosimo de'Medici.

And it seems that the rising British star, 29, is relishing his latest role, as he tweeted a series of excited messages from Italy earlier over the last month.

Last week he tweeted: 'Horse riding and stunt fighting in a field outside Rome. #happytuesday [sic].'

Death of a king-maker: Obviously filming the scenes of Giovanni's - full name Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici - final moments, the actor was seen launching the food and bowl into the air as he collapsed to the floor

Death of a king-maker: Obviously filming the scenes of Giovanni's - full name Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici - final moments, the actor was seen launching the food and bowl into the air as he collapsed to the floor

Son and heir: Dustin and Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden (pictured) play Giovanni and his son Cosimo's rise to the centre of Renaissance power as the heads of the influential Medici banking empire

Son and heir: Dustin and Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden (pictured) play Giovanni and his son Cosimo's rise to the centre of Renaissance power as the heads of the influential Medici banking empire

Followed by another happy message earlier this week, in which he wrote: 'Very exciting times. Feeling very fortunate indeed.'

The Medici family rose to become famous and revered throughout the Western world in the 14th and 15th Century.  

According to Variety.com, the drama is directed by Under the Dome's Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, and is being produced by Matilde and Luca Bernabei’s Lux Vide, and Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions. 

The website reports that Spotnitz shed light on what will be covered in each of the series' eight hour-long instalments, saying: 'The Medici came to power at a time of great social and economic inequality.

'They were great disrupters. Their banking practices led to the creation of a middle class, making them unimaginably wealthy.' 

The Medici in turn used their vast power and resources to challenge traditional thinking, ushering in a new era of revolutionary art and science such as the world had never seen. It’s a powerful story that resonates even now.'

Happy to be there: And it seems that the rising British star, 29, is relishing his latest role, as he tweeted a series of excited messages from Italy earlier over the last month

Happy to be there: And it seems that the rising British star, 29, is relishing his latest role, as he tweeted a series of excited messages from Italy earlier over the last month

'Fortunate indeed': The excited actor is starring opposite Dustin in the tal of the Medici family, who rose to become famous and revered throughout the Western world in the 14th and 15th Century

'Fortunate indeed': The excited actor is starring opposite Dustin in the tal of the Medici family, who rose to become famous and revered throughout the Western world in the 14th and 15th Century

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