Starz Reviving 'Spartacus' Series, Original Creator Working On Sequel

It seems just about every once popular show is getting a revival these days. Starz announced this week that the network is developing a follow-up to its classic original series, "Spartacus," with the original creator, writer, and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight ("Daredevil," "Pacific Rim: Uprising," "Jupiter's Legacy") returning to work on the new series.

DeKnight will also serve as the showrunner and executive producer for the revival series.

According to the press release announcing the shows, the new show will "explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series' iconic characters." Additionally, the show will depict the aftermath of the defeat of Spartacus' rebel army at the end of the original series, and follow a new tale of "treachery, receipt, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome."

The original historical drama ran for three seasons, plus one prequel miniseries, with 39 episodes from 2010 to 2013. The first season starred the late Andy Whitfield as the titular Spartacus, a Thracian soldier sentenced to slavery by Rome. After his wife is taken from him, he sets about to free himself from servitude and take revenge on the Roman Empire.

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Whitfield was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma after the first season. Starz later filmed the prequel miniseries, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," but Whitfield did not recover. The actor tragically passed away in September 2011.

His role was later recast with Liam McIntyre taking over the role of Spartacus in the latter two seasons. However, it will be interesting to see how Starz plans to continue the journey, since Season 3 effectively ended the storyline, with many major characters dying, or other characters being given effective conclusions to their storylines.

Season 2 of the show was dubbed "Vengeance," and Season 3 was titled "War of the Damned," introducing Todd Lasance as Julius Caesar and Simon Merrells as Spartacus' new Roman adversary, Marcus Licinius Crassus. Lucy Lawless ("Xena: Warrior Princess") was part of the cast of "Gods of the Arena" and the first two seasons as Lucretia, the Roman noblewoman of the House of Batiatus that once owned Spartacus. John Hannah appeared in Season 1 and "Gods of the Arena" as Lucretia's husband, Batiatus.

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Speaking on the news, Starz Original Programming President Kathryn Busby commented in a statement in Starz's press release, "It has been over a decade since 'Spartacus' delighted international audiences and we are thrilled to reimagine and expand this gripping, action-packed drama for our viewers today." She continued, "'Spartacus' has deeply invested fans who are eager for its return, and we look forward to working with Steven on this exciting next chapter."

Meanwhile, creator DeKnight added with his own statement, "It’s such an incredible honor to be invited to return to the world of ‘Spartacus’ and to be met with unbridled creative support from my colleagues at STARZ and Lionsgate. Together we are crafting something truly unique and unusual for the next chapter in this epic story."

Lionsgate Television is producing the product for Starz. Executives Karen Bailey, Giovanna Desselle, and Alex Alberts are overseeing the show on behalf of STARZ. Scott Herbst and Jocelyn Sabo are overseeing the show for Lionsgate Television.