Connie Nielsen hasn’t aged a day because the actress, 59, returns to Gladiator II 24 years after starring within the authentic

Connie Nielsen hasn’t aged a day as the actress wowed at the Gladiator II premiere on Wednesday night as she returned to the franchise 24 years after starring in the original. 

The star, 59, played Lucilla in the original Gladiators back in 2000 and has rejoined the cast alongside Paul Mescal and Yuval Gonen for the latest instalment. 

Wowing on the red carpet, Connie looked sensational in a baby blue pleated chiffon gown, with a semi-sheer skirt and thigh-high leg slit.

The Danish actress teamed the halterneck number with a pair of matching satin heels and styled her hair into loose waves.

Gladiator II takes place several decades after the first instalment, and features Lucius (the son of Lucilla) who is now living in Numidia, a region of northern Africa.

Although he was sent to Numidia as a child, the film follows Lucius’ return to Rome to reunite with his mother—and coming into conflict as he does so.

Connie is one of only two actors to return from the original movie alongside Derek Jacobi who plays Gracchus. 

And Lucilla has a prominent role in the film, with the actress revealing that director Ridley Scott was a major reason for her return. 

Speaking about her return the star described filming as an ‘amazing process’ as she gushed: ‘just walking into the arena on that first day back was an absolute surreal experience.’

She added: ‘I was just so excited to tell the story of this woman who Ridley has set up to hold within herself a crumbling empire and a crumbling legacy of her father, the loss of a son, and in the whole of it, this heart that’s being loved by an amazing man called Pedro Pascal. 

‘And then this moment where she finds her son again. I mean, these are incredible experiences and situations that Ridley set up for me. How could I be anything but excited?’

The film, which was 20 years in the making has been a hit with critics and fans have praised Paul’s performance.

Connie was joined by Paul at Wednesday’s premiere as the Irish actor, 28, opted for a smart black suit with a cream satin shirt.

Paul plays the former heir to the Roman Empire Lucius Verus in the highly-anticipated blockbuster.

Meanwhile Yuval, who stars as Arishat, stunned in an elegant white gown that featured a corseted bodice.

Pedro, 49, looked as fashion forward as ever in a black oversized shirt with a pair of smart trousers.

Early reviews from critics have called Gladiator II the ‘best movie of the year’ and a ‘true epic’ as they hailed Paul and Denzel Washington’s performances. 

With Russell Crowe’s legendary Maximus long-since dead and buried, it is vengeful Lucius (Paul) who must fight for his liberty in the film after being taken into slavery and ripped away from his wife and daughter by general Marcus (Pedro Pascal).

Paul has revealed the insane bet he had with Ridley Scott over one Gladiator II stunt that caused a huge argument between pair.

In a new interview with Vanity Fair Paul told how there was a scene towards the end of the film where a weary Lucius mounts a horse in hot pursuit of Macrinus.

Paul was keen to do his best for the action-packed moment and the other stunts so ‘trained for f***ing months’ – before Ridley changed his mind about the scene.  

Paul told the publication: ‘Two weeks before the scene, Ridley says, ‘You’re not f***ing doing it,’ and I was like, ‘What the f**k?,’ and we had this argument.’

Ridley had decided to cut the scene due to some equine advice he had received on another movie. 

Paul added of the altercation: ‘I was pestering him constantly. And then the day before, he goes, ‘OK, you can do the stunt, but if you come off, it’s two Bentleys.’

He eventually pulled the move off in just a couple of takes.