As a huge sign of confidence in their new original series, Starz has given a second season renewal to Spartacus: Blood and Sand…one month before the show premieres its first episode on TV! The show debuts on Friday, January 22nd at 10:00 PM, but the folks in charge of the channel evidently already feel that this is a very strong series.
“We couldn’t be happier with the first season. Spartacus delivers on all levels – action, characters, intrigue, romance and excitement,” said Starz Entertainment EVP, Programming, Stephan Shelanski. “Spartacus is the most ambitious original project we’ve ever undertaken, and speaks to the commitment to our subscribers to provide truly original programming along with our unmatched lineup of theatrical features.”
“Steven S. DeKnight and his team of writers have created a rich narrative that lays the groundwork for more great stories,” added Executive Producer Rob Tapert. “The slave rebellion led by Spartacus and the oh-so-current political intrigue and personal dynamics laid out in the first season provide rich source material for the second season and beyond.”
Interestingly, the second season will carry the umbrella title of Spartacus: Vengeance, the Blood and Sand subtitle only applicable to the first season. Naturally, all other details about the next set of episodes is being kept under wraps so as to keep the first batch of plot twists and story unspoiled.
The series features Australian newcomer Andy Whitfield as the title character, a Thracian fighting to return to his wife after being sold into slavery at a gladiatorial school. He is joined by Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess, Battlestar: Galactica) as the deceptive Lucretia, John Hannah (The Mummy movies) as her power-hungry husband Batiatus, Peter Mensah (300) as the head of the gladiatorial school, Doctore, along with a cast of familiar as well as fresh faces.
The series is shot utilizing virtual environments in the graphic novel style of such successful features as 300 and Sin City. The process gives the show a fresh narrative approach and a hyper-realistic look that is unlike anything yet seen on TV. It’s an entirely new vision of the ancient legend.
Debuting exclusively on Starz, Spartacus: Blood and Sand is produced by Starz Media with Executive Producers Rob Tapert (The Grudge, Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), Sam Raimi (Spider-Man and The Evil Dead), Joshua Donen (The Quick and the Dead) and Steven S. DeKnight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Pop Culture Zoo will be bringing you a preview of the first season in January, so keep checking back for that!
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