April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the 'Titanic' sinking on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. To mark the occasion not one, but two, epic TV series are being produced about the disaster.

Production is already underway on the 'Titanic' mini-series, which has been penned by 'Downton Abbey' creator Julian Fellowes and will star 'Law & Order' vet Linus Roache among others.

Now casting is being finalized for a rival 12-part series 'Blood and Steel.'

According to Deadline, Derek Jacobi ('The King's Speech,' 'I, Claudius'), Chris Noth ('Sex and the City'), Neve Campbell ('Scream') and Kevin Zegers ('Gossip Girl') are all in various stages of negotiations to join the project.

One of the greatest TV mini-series of all time was I, Claudius. It was riveting TV and every time it's been repeated since it premiered in 1976, I've watched it religiously. The Robert Graves novel about the Roman empire, including the mad Caligula, is now set for a remake. Director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot) will be helming an adaptation of I, Claudius with Nye Heron and Sheridan penning the script.

At this point, the project seems headed to the big screen. That would be a plus insofar as the set design and lush look. However, one of the benefits of the 1976 version was the length. It was 13 episodes, a hour each (sans commercials). That meant the complexities of Graves' novel -- and there were dozens of them -- not to mention the enormous cast of characters, could be played out.