Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
Production on Starz' 'Spartacus' Six-Part Prequel to Begin This Summer
By Staff
posted May 12, 2010, 20:24
Andy Whitfield to Appear In Two Episodes Along With Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Peter Mensah Plus Other Returning and New Characters
Andy Whitfield to Appear In Two Episodes Along With Lucy Lawless, John
Hannah, Peter Mensah Plus Other Returning and New Characters
(Los Angeles) NCTA Cable Show 2010 -- Pre-production is underway on a six-part
prequel to Starz' hit original series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand."
Andy Whitfield, who played the title character in the series, will appear in
the prequel briefly, but Lucy Lawless and John Hannah take center stage in this
story of the rise of the House of Batiatus and its champions before Spartacus
arrives as a captured Thracian slave. With the title still to be determined,
the prequel will begin production this summer in New Zealand, and is slated
to air on Starz in January 2011.
John Hannah returns as Batiatus, owner of the Ludus, along with his wife Lucretia,
played by Lucy Lawless. Other returning actors include Peter Mensah (Doctore),
Manu Bennett (Crixus), Antonio Te Maioha (Barca), Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur), Lesley-Ann
Brandt (Naevia) – and others. New characters will also be added –
most notably the gladiator who was champion of the House of Batiatus before
Spartacus or even Crixus – who will help fill in the story about the people
and politics in the House of Batiatus and ancient Capua as a whole.
Production on the second season of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" was
postponed this spring to allow Andy Whitfield to be treated for Non-Hodgkin
Lymphoma in New Zealand. His doctors indicate that the actor is responding well.
"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," said Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht. "We
look forward to continuing the Spartacus story."
Produced by Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight, "Spartacus:
Blood and Sand" was the highest rated show for the 18-49 demographic among
all cable networks for 12 of the 13 Fridays on which it aired based on coverage
rating.* The production team remains intact for the six-part prequel.
*Source: Nielsen Live + SD Coverage Ratings for A18-49 each Friday between
1/29/10 – 4/16/10 among all basic and premium cable channels.
Resources:
http://www.starz.com
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