According to Spartacus producer Steven S. Deknight, there was never supposed to be a prequel to his bloody hit on Starz. He had had the idea that it would be brilliant to do a flashback episode at some point during the second season of the series, but when star Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer and had to take some time off to deal with that, the prequel was born.
“If the prequel were purely telling stories and filling in information that we learned in Season 1, I would have had some doubt,” Deknight says. “But there are things that happen in the prequel that come back around in Season 2. So it works to fill in the gaps of Season 1, and it also works to platform things that are going to happen in Season 2.”
That season has yet to be shot, but Deknight assures that Whitfield is healthy and looking “better than ever,” and revealed that he’s also thinking about bulking up to an even bigger size for the next instalment.
As for whether or not Lucy Lawless will return in the second instalment, the producer reminded the crowd that she was “twitching at the end of Season 1.” He says that even though the original plan was for Lawless’ character to be killed off in that scene, the network asked for her to remain on in the next instalment. At first Deknight refused, but then came up with a way to have her return that “is really something special.”
For now, in the upcoming prequel (which takes place in the House of Batiatus), Lawless returns along with John Hannah, Peter Mensah, and Whitfield (who makes a brief appearance). There we’ll meet a new champion, played by newcomer Dustin Clare.
The actor is, according to Deknight, “absolutely phenomenal. I think you guys are going to really love him.”
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will premiere on Starz in January. In Canada, The Movie Network and Movie Central own the rights.
Have a question about this session? Email me - amber@tvguide.ca
Amber is currently reporting live from the TV Critics Press Tour in L.A. Check out her complete coverage, including a comprehensive calendar and full schedule of events here.
Have a TV question? Check out the latest Ask Amber, or follow Amber on Twitter.
BACK TO THE TCA CALENDAR
Follow TV Guide Canada on Facebook