Syfy Expands Programming by Adding SPARTACUS

This is not among our normal coverage here at Nice Girls TV, however…ABS! Come on, you know what I’m talking about. Once in a while we do have to take a moment and admire great talent wrapped up in a very pretty package. And great talent. And abs and stuff. Syfy has become our new enabler by adding the Starz series, Spartacus, to their programming. I didn’t have Starz so I’ve missed out on this one but I’ve heard so many good things about it and now I’ll be able to enjoy it for myself. I know there are many of you out there who will be joining me as first time viewers as well.

“Spartacus” also offers up some fairly strong female roles. Lucy Lawless (Xenia: Warrior Princess) plays Lucretia, who along with her husband Batiatus (John Hannah), owned the slave Spartacus and the original gladiator camp. Spartacus’ wife, Sura, is played by Erin Cummings (Dollhouse). Viva Bianca plays Ilithyia. So yeah, a nice lineup of very strong female characters! 

“Spartacus” premieres June 26th at 10/9c on Syfy.

Press release

Continuing to expand its roster of diverse domestic and international programming, Syfy today announced it is acquiring U.S. basic cable rights to all 39 episodes (three seasons and the six-part prequel) of the popular swords and sandal series Spartacus from Starz Worldwide Distribution, the global television licensing and content syndication arm of Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA,STRZB).

 

Spartacus will make its basic cable premiere on Thursday, June 26 at 10PM (ET/PT), rounding out the channel’s potent primetime lineup of original series Defiance at 8PM and Dominion at 9PM.

 

Spartacus joins Syfy’s stable of acquisitions including Lost Girl, Bitten, Continuum and the upcoming The Almighty Johnsons (July),Z-Nation (Fall) and Olympus (2015).

 

Said Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Programming, Syfy: “Our strategy of acquiring hit shows to complement our premium original scripted series has really resonated with our audience. With its action-soaked storylines and powerful characters, Spartacuswill be a dynamic addition to our schedule.”

 

“Spartacus made an indelible impact on STARZ premium viewers in the United States and with audiences around the globe,” said Gene George, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Distribution for Starz. “We are very pleased to strike this accord and bring the incredible tale of Spartacus to Syfy for its viewers.”

 

About Spartacus
Spartacus was inspired by the actual slave of the Roman Republic who, in 73 BC, led a slave revolt that grew to more than 120,000 fighters. Defying the Roman Republic’s legions of soldiers, they campaigned for two years through much of what is now Italy before succumbing to a much larger army. The new series told a new set of stories rich in character, action, sex and combat centered on the title character. As punishment for defying a Roman Legate, Spartacus was sentenced to die in the gladiator arena. But after surviving numerous fights, his sentence was commuted and sold as a slave to be trained as a gladiator. Spartacus was executive produced by Rob Tapert (The Grudge, Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), Steven S. DeKnight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sam Raimi (Spider-Man and The Evil Dead), and Joshua Donen (The Quick and the Dead).  The lead and title character was originally played by the beloved late Andy Whitfield. Following Whitfield’s departure from the series in 2010, Liam McIntyre was recast as the title character.

Additional cast members included: Lucy Lawless (Xenia: Warrior Princess) as Lucretia, who along with her husband Batiatus (John Hannah), owned the slave Spartacus and the original gladiator camp; Erin Cummings (Dollhouse) as Sura, Spartacus’ wife; Peter Mensah (300, Avatar) as Doctore;  Manu Bennett (30 Days of Night, The Condemned) as Crixus; Craig Parker (The Lord of the Ringstrilogy, Legend of the Seeker) as Glaber, Ilithyia (Accidents Happen), played by Viva Bianca; Nick E. Tarabay (Crash, The Sopranos) as Ashur,  Dustin Clare (Underbelly, Satisfaction) as Gannicus;  and Todd Lasance as Gaius Julius Caesar.