Starz sets a 'Spartacus' prequel season

John Hannah and Lucy Lawless will be the focus, with Andy Whitfield in two episodes

By HitFix Staff Tuesday, May 11, 2010 4:33 PM

John Hannah of 'Spartacus: Blood & Sand'

Credit: Starz

Fans have wondered how Andy Whitfield's cancer diagnosis would impact the second season of Starz' "Spartacus."

The premium cable network has come up with a solution: Prequel.

Starz' announced on Tuesday (May 11) that production will begin this summer on a six-episode "Spartacus" prequel focusing primarily on John Hannah's Batiatus and Lucy Lawless, telling the story of Batiatus' gladiatorial school before either Spartacus or Crixus were its champion.

The news of the prequel was first broken by the Tribune's Maureen Ryan.

The prequel season will shoot in New Zealand and will premiere on Starz in January 2011. Starz has yet to determine a subtitle for the "Spartacus: Blood & Sand" prequel, but it presumably will not be "Vengeance," the previously announced subtitle for a Whitfield-heavy season.

In the official Starz' release, the network says that Whitfield is currently undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and that doctors say he's responding well.

As of now, Whitfield is scheduled to appear in two episodes of the "Spartacus" prequel. In addition to Hannah and Lawless, other returning actors will include Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, Antonio Te Maioha, Nick E. Tarabay and Lesley-Ann Brandt. New characters will also be added including the aforementioned pre-Crixus champion of the House of Batiatus.

"The prequel story maintains the excitement and entertainment value of the first season of 'Spartacus,' giving audiences the engaging experience they’ve come to expect," states Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht. "We look forward to continuing the Spartacus story."

Led by Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight, the "Spartacus" production team will remain intact.

Related Searches: Spartacus, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, prequel, Andy Whitfield, John Hannah, Lucy Lawless

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Mr.Floppy

Noooo!
Loved the first season, and Batiatus/Hannah
May 11, 2010 at 7:11PM EST Reply to Comment
I question the dramatic involvement of a pre-series about characters we have already watched meet a grisly end. They're great characters - don't get me wrong. But, who cares? They've run their course.
May 11, 2010 at 7:31PM EST Reply to Comment
- Jarrad I think the reason for this is to limit Andy's involvement while he recovers from his health problems
  May 11, 2010 at 7:42PM EST
Angela

I hope Andy Whitfield gets better soon! I want to see him in more "Spartacus" action!!
July 11, 2010 at 4:15AM EST Reply to Comment

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Starz sets a 'Spartacus' prequel season

John Hannah and Lucy Lawless will be the focus, with Andy Whitfield in two episodes

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Starz sets a 'Spartacus' prequel season

Comments

Mr.Floppy

Noooo!
Loved the first season, and Batiatus/Hannah

I question the dramatic involvement of a pre-series about characters we have already watched meet a grisly end. They're great characters - don't get me wrong. But, who cares? They've run their course.

Jarrad I think the reason for this is to limit Andy's involvement while he recovers from his health problems