Starz is planning a return to ancient Rome with its first groundbreaking original series.
Premium Cable Socket is developing a Spartacus, the first original show to appeal to a broad audience. Series creator Steven S. DeKnight is writing the new script — which Starz says will “expand” on the original — and will serve as showrunner.
“Invited back to the world of Spartacus and with my colleagues at Starz and Lionsgate provided Unfettered creative support,” DeKnight said in a statement. “Together we are crafting something truly unique and unusual for the next chapter of this epic story.”
Spartacus: Blood and Blood Sand January premiere 2011 was a hit on Starz, ratings continued for years (eventually dropped by Outlander and power). Known for its surreal, violent action, the series stars Andy Whitfield as the protagonist, a Thracian gladiator who leads a slave uprising against the Roman Empire.
After Whitfield was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after the first season, Starz filmed a prequel miniseries, Gods of the Arena, featuring some characters from the main series. After Whitfield’s death in , Liam McIntyre took over the role of Spartacus for the final two seasons , the subtitles are Vengeance2011 ) and Curse War2011.
The new chapter is set after the slave army’s defeat, and will “portray a new story of betrayal, deceit, and blood that unfolds in the ominous shadow of Rome,” according to the project’s description. Starz also says the update will feature characters from the original series–though no specifics are available yet.
Lionsgate Television, parent company of Starz, is producing Spartacus DeKnight wrote and executive produced an update.
DeKnight recently developed and executive produced Jupiter’s Legacy at Netflix. His credits also include Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Angel , Netflix The Daredevil and the feature film Pacific Rim: Uprising . He is represented by attorneys Jeanne Newman and Matthew Levy of CAA, Anonymous Content and Hansen Jacobson.
