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The new Spartacus series, House of Ashur, is coming to Starz this fall, and creator Steven S. DeKnight is ready to tell a different story. DeKnight told Entertainment Weekly that the original Spartacus show was a big challenge for him.

He said, “I think I needed a decade to recuperate from the original experience, which was wonderful, but just grueling and emotionally gut wrenching.” The death of Andy Whitfield, the first actor to play Spartacus, made it even harder.

For years, Starz asked DeKnight to come back and make more Spartacus, but he wasn’t ready. When he finally felt up to it, he thought about new ideas. He considered famous Roman stories like Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra but found them expensive and overdone. Instead, he chose to focus on a less-known character from the original show — Ashur.

Nick Tarabay played Ashur, a smart but sneaky ex-gladiator. In the original series,...

The new Spartacus series, House of Ashur, is finally coming to Starz this fall, and creator Steven S. DeKnight is ready to tell a fresh story. DeKnight shared with Entertainment Weekly that the original Spartacus show left a big mark on him.

After the tough experience of making the first series, and the heartbreaking loss of Andy Whitfield, who played Spartacus and died from cancer, DeKnight needed time to recover. He explained, “I think I needed a decade to recuperate from the original experience, which was wonderful, but just grueling and emotionally gut wrenching.”

For years, Starz kept asking DeKnight if he wanted to return to the Spartacus world, but he kept saying no because it was too hard. Then, finally, he felt ready. He began thinking about new ideas but realized many famous Roman stories had been told many times and were very expensive to make.

Related: All 3 Spartacus Series Seasons in Order

So,...

When it was announced that Spartacus was returning with a new sequel series, fans were surprised by some things about the announcement. The biggest one was that the new series would follow Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay), a character who met a pretty much irreversible end in Spartacus: Vengeance. However, showrunner Steven S. DeKnight explained that Spartacus: House of Ashur takes place in an alternate reality. During a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the series creator revealed what other characters are going to return for the new series.

During the interview, DeKnight revealed that Starz wanted to do a Spartacus follow-up for years, but a number of events got in the way. He mentioned the premature death of Andy Whitfield, who was the title character in the debut season — he was replaced by Liam McIntyre (Bring Him To Me). The showrunner revealed that Whitfield's death "took the wind out of everybody's sails,...

It's been twelve years since the rebellion led by Spartacus (Andy Whitfield/Liam McIntyre) came to a crushing end in Spartacus: War of the Damned. Now, we are finally returning to the gladiator world with an unexpected figure in the lead. Spartacus: House of Ashur is finally nearing its premiere, and in order to tease the upcoming epic series, EW unveiled a slate of first-look images that showcase the new warrior, the very first female gladiator, and the return of Ashur (Nick Tarabay) as lead. The series is set to premiere on Starz this fall.

The images reveal Ashur like we've never seen him. While on Spartacus, he was a sly figure who relied on tricks and manipulation to get his way; now he is the commander of the Ludus and has a slate of gladiators training under him. The story is set in an alternate reality in which Ashur wasn't brutally killed,...

Liam McIntyre is best known for stepping into the shoes of the iconic gladiator Spartacus after the tragic passing of Andy Whitfield. His role in the hit Starz series Spartacus turned his career around and made him into a household name, showcasing his raw talent and dedication to the entire world.

McIntyre shared some insights into his early career. | Image Credit: Starz

As he explained in an interview, his journey to fame was not an easy one. Long before stepping into the bloody sandals of the iconic gladiator, McIntyre was on the other side of the counter, selling games. However, his love and passion for gaming eventually led him to a unique opportunity in the video game industry.

Liam McIntyre’s early struggles and passion for video games McIntyre explained his passion for gaming. | Image Credit: Starz

Before his rise to fame in Hollywood, McIntyre faced significant struggles. The Australian...

“Spartacus” is back — just without a Spartacus.

On Wednesday, January 15, Starz released the first-look teaser trailer for “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” a sequel to its original three-season “Spartacus” series, which started in 2010 with “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” continued with “Spartacus: Vengeance,” and concluded in 2013 with “Spartacus: War of the Damned.” Between “Blood and Sand” and “Vengeance,” Starz made a six-episode miniseries “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.”

(Spartacus, by the way, is a real historical figure. He was a Thracian gladiator and one of the escaped slaves who led an uprising against the Roman Republic in the early first century BC. Andy Whitfield played Spartacus for the first season and provided a brief voiceover for its prequel. At the time, he was battling stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Whitfield died in 2011; Liam McIntyre took over the role in Seasons 2 and 3. Kirk Douglas famously played Spartacus in Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 film.)

“Spartacus: House of Ashur...

Can you believe it’s been over a decade since Spartacus first brought its blood-soaked, action-packed drama to our screens? Back in 2010, this hit show redefined the historical epics with its unapologetic intense storytelling and raw actions. Though Gladiator and Rome did lay the groundwork for sword-and-sandal greatness, Spartacus intensified the level, delivering four seasons of unforgettable action.

Of course, it wasn’t just the on-screen drama that had us hooked to our screens, behind the scenes, the heartbreaking loss of Andy Whitfield after Season 1 broke our hearts. But the series persevered, with Liam McIntyre stepping in to finish this epic saga of the Thracian rebel leader.

A still from Spartacus (Credits- Starz)

And the legacy of the legendary storyline has now returned once again with the upcoming spinoff, Spartacus: House of Ashur. Reportedly, Starz is revisiting the story but with an added twist, what if Ashur, the scheming underdog...

Spartacus vet Lucy Lawless is set to make her return to the franchise with an appearance in the new series, Spartacus: House of Ashur. Lawless portrayed the role of Lucretia in the original series, the wife of John Hannahs Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. Lasting for three seasons and a six-episode prequel series, Spartacus was a massive hit for Starz, setting several records for the network and taking home numerous nominations and awards, including a Best Supporting Actress on Television award for Lawless at the 2011 Saturn Awards.

Per Deadline, Lawless will reprise her role of Lucretia in House of Ashur, which looks to examine an alternate universe where Nick Tarabays character of the former Syrian gladiator didnt die on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance, but was instead gifted Batiatuss Ludus in exchange for helping to kill Spartacus. The new series is billed as a "history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience...

Move over, Xena! Deadline reports that Lucy Lawless is set to return to her other iconic role, that of Lucretia in the upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur series.

Sadly, Lawless’ return won’t be as a series regular, but as a guest-starring role in the premiere. The report states that her appearance “will be instrumental in setting up the ‘what if’ alternate timeline.” In a statement on X, creator Steven DeKnight said, “The gods bless the House of Ashur! Thrilled to have the amazing [Lucy Lawless] dropping in to grace us with her awesome presence!“

House of Ashur is described as a “history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. The series poses the question: what if Ashur, played by fan favorite Nick Tarabay, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance? And what if he had been gifted...

Those About to Die is an epic sword-and-sandal historical drama series created by Robert Rodat. Based on the 1958 novel of the same name by author Daniel P. Mannix, the Peacock series revolves around the lives of the gladiators and citizens of the Roman Empire in Ancient Rome, where violence, greed, and lust run rampant. Those About to Die stars Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins-Court, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, and Emilio Sakraya. So, if you loved the epic fights, brutal violence, and historical drama in Those About to Die here are some similar shows you could watch next.

Rome (Max & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – HBO

Rome is a historical drama series created by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller. The HBO series is set in the 1st century BC during Ancient Rome’s transition from Republic to Empire,...

Spartacus: House of Ashur is a new spin-off series exploring an alternate timeline of the original show. The new series assumes Ashur didn't die in season two of the original series, leading to an all-new storyline. Nick Tarabay reprises the role of Ashur, and new cast members include Graham McTavish and Ivana Baquero.

The Starz series Spartacus is getting a new life, but not the way fans might expect. Spartacus: House of Ashur, now in production in New Zealand, is not a revival or a reboot. Original series creator Steven S. DeKnight is taking an "alternate universe" approach, applying Marvel's "What If?" formula to an original character to create a whole new series, and Starz has now announced the cast that will bring it to life.

According to a report by Deadline, Nick Tarabay will reprise the role of Ashur, who died in the second season finale. The new series...

Production on Spartacus: House of Ashur is currently underway in New Zealand, and the rest of the main cast for the upcoming Starz series has been revealed.

The series’ main cast will include Graham McTavish (The Witcher), Tenika Davis (Jupiter’s Legacy), Jamaica Vaughan (Home and Away), Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth), Jordi Webber (Choose Love), Claudia Black (Farscape), India Shaw-Smith (The Pines Still Whisper), and Leigh Gill (Joker). Of course, Nick Tarabay will be reprising the role of Ashur, a former gladiator who used his cunning to serve the house of Batiatus and later the Romans in the original series.

Graham McTavish plays Korris, “a former gladiator who won his freedom in the arena and is now Ashur’s Doctore, training the gladiators in Ashur’s Ludus.“ Tenika Davis plays Achillia, “a female gladiator driven to surpass her male counterparts.“ Jamaica Vaughan plays Hilara, “a young, elevated house slave, deeply in love with Ashur.

The script for the penultimate episode of Spartacus: House of Ashur has been submitted by creator Steven DeKnight, as revealed in the latest progress update. The Spartacus revival will introduce a "what if" scenario taking Ashur's fate in a new direction. Starz has ordered ten episodes for House of Ashur, promising a thrilling, history-bending experience.

Spartacus creator Steven S. DeKnight hypes up the forthcoming series revival, titled House of Ashur. The original Spartacus series aired on Starz from 2010 to 2013 and followed the titular character, a Thracian gladiator who led a famed rebellion against the Roman Republic. Andy Whitfield originally played Spartacus in the first season of the show. However, following his untimely death, Liam McIntyre took over and played the titular character until the show ended. Years after its conclusion, Starz announced a revival, and DeKnight was brought in to head the show once again.

Now, months after Starz announced a Spartacus revival,...

The news of actor Chance Perdomo's death came as a horrible shock when it was first reported several weeks ago. Perdomo was just 27 years old when he was killed in a motorcycle crash. A rising star thanks to his standout performances in "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and "The Boys" spinoff "Gen V," Perdomo was reportedly returning to Toronto for the first "Gen V" season 2 table read when the accident occurred. Production was immediately put on hold to give the cast and creative team time to process the tragedy and decide how best to handle it within the show.

Now, the producers of "Gen V" have released a statement on social media confirming that Perdomo's character, Andre Anderson, will not be recast in season 2:

"As we continue to navigate the tragic loss of Chance Perdomo, everyone at 'Gen V' is determined to find the best way...

Starz has just announced something that will excite fans of their classic show, Spartacus. They’re bringing us a sequel series titled Spartacus: House of Ashur. It’s a thrilling development, especially for those who’ve been waiting since the last season aired in 2013.

Nick Tarabay is set to return as Ashur, and this time, the story takes an intriguing turn. Imagine Ashur didn’t die in Spartacus: Vengeance and ended up owning the gladiator school of Batiatus. That’s the twist this series will explore, diving into a ‘what if’ scenario about Ashur aiding the Romans and stopping the slave rebellion.

This sequel comes more than a decade after the original series’ conclusion, bringing a fresh angle to the Spartacus saga. Steven S. DeKnight, who brought us the original series and later worked on Marvel’s Daredevil, returns as the showrunner. DeKnight expressed his excitement about crafting this new chapter,...

Nick Tarabay to star in ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ (Photo Credit: Starz)

In February 2023, prior to the huge writers and actors strikes, Starz announced their plans to revisit the world of Spartacus. Now that the dust has (basically) settled on both strikes, Starz revealed the new Spartacus chapter will be called Spartacus: House of Ashur and that Nick Tarabay is reprising his role as Ashur.

Tarabay played the villainous character in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Spartacus creator, writer, and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight returns to guide the new 10-episode season as showrunner. “To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity,” said Steven S. DeKnight. “I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with Starz, Lionsgate, and the incomparable Nick Tarabay.”

Starz’s journey...

Gratitude! Starz has ordered ten episodes of Spartacus: House of Ashur, a new sequel series from creator Steven S. DeKnight.

As you might tell by the title, Spartacus: House of Ashur will feature the return of Nick Tarabay as Ashur, the cunning and manipulative ex-gladiator who proved to be a thorn in the side of Spartacus. Per the official description, “[Spartacus: House of Ashur] poses the question: what if Ashur hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of ‘Spartacus: Vengeance?’ And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?“

“To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity,” Steven S. DeKnight said in a statement. “I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with Starz,...

Starz is bringing one of its foundational original series — along with one of its characters — back to life.

The premium cabler has given a series order to Spartacus: House of Ashur, a continuation of the franchise that last aired a new episode in 2013. The pickup comes nine months after Starz announced it was developing a revival/sequel — and a day after actors union SAG-AFTRA announced a tentative agreement with studios and streamers, ending a four-month strike.

Series creator Steven S. DeKnight will serve as showrunner, and Nick Tarabay will reprise his role of Ashur from the former series.

“A decade ago the groundbreaking original Spartacus captivated viewers worldwide and we’re excited to deliver more enthralling, high-octane drama that our fervent fans have been anticipating,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “It is an honor to team up with Steven again as he expands upon the storytelling within this thrilling,...

Spartacus star Liam McIntyre pitched his own ideas for a potential return in Starz’s upcoming series revival. Originally running from 2010 to 2013, Spartacus followed the rise and eventual defeat of the famous Thracian gladiator who led a slave rebellion against the might of Rome. Initially played by the late Andy Whitfield, McIntyre stepped in to assume the show’s leading role for two seasons, Spartacus: Vengeance and Spartacus: War of the Damned. Earlier this year, Starz announced plans for a new Spartacus sequel series being helmed by original creator Steven S. DeKnight.

Recently, McIntyre took to Twitter to pitch his ideas about how his character could return, despite being killed during the series finale. Read the tweets below:

Bigger... he reunites with her, they make plans to find a way to the Elysian fields (shows end game)... but he's used, again. They're separated, again. And he's forced to survive in...

Spartacus star Liam McIntyre has spoken about the revival of the historical drama series, weighing in on how he thinks the new series can honour original star Andy Whitfield. In a recent interview with Supanova, the actor also gave his approval for the revival, joking that he would love to return to the series despite his character’s untimely ending.

Spartacus star Liam McIntyre hopes that the upcoming sequel series to the popular historical drama will find a way to honor original actor Andy Whitfield. Whitfield played the titular role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was season 1 of the series. He died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2011, with McIntyre stepping in as Spartacus for seasons 2 and 3.

Speaking with Supernova, McIntyre expresses his hopes that the Spartacus sequel series will be able to pay tribute to Whitfield. He praises Whitfield for his performance as Spartacus while expressing his hopes the actor could be credited for making the show as successful as it was. Check out what McIntyre had to say below:

I never in a million years thought I’d actually Get that job. I mean, who was I? So it wasn’t till I was basically turning up to set the first day that it really hit me… wait, I’m meant to follow Him?...

The concluding episode of a television series can be an arduous task that stirs a wide array of emotions within viewers, leaving them gratified, astonished, or even heartbroken. Oftentimes, fan-favorite shows may have the rug pulled out from under them by networks or streaming services before they get the chance to finish their story arcs.

Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers

But if a series is given room and opportunity, sometimes it concludes in perfect harmony – bringing everything full circle while satisfying long-time viewers with no sense of artificiality within its final moments.

The most unforgettable TV series finales are those that etch a lasting memory and become integral parts of popular culture. This article will delve into the top 10 most memorable TV series finales that captivate fans long after their initial airings.

From Friends to Breaking Bad — here are ten television series finales that nailed it.

Spartacus may be returning to Starz. The cable channel is developing a spinoff of the historical drama series with Spartacus co-creator Steven S. DeKnight. as showrunner The original series aired for four seasons and 39 episodes, between 2010 and 2013. Andy Whitfield played the title role in the first season and Liam McIntyre took over for the remaining two regular seasons, due to Whitfield's passing from cancer. A prequel season, which didn't focus on Spartacus, aired in 2011.

Also starring John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Jai Courtney, Peter Mensah, Nick E. Tarabay, Craig Parker, Viva Bianca, Katrina Law, Dustin Clare, Jaime Murray, Marisa Ramirez, Dan Feuerriegel, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Brett Tucker, and Lucy Lawless, the series was based on the legendary gladiator of Ancient Roman times.

Read More…...

It has been 10 years since the Starz network first wrapped up their popular Spartacus series, and now original showrunner Steven S. DeKnight is set to return to helm a new revival. Inspired by the historical tale of the Thracian gladiator who led a slave uprising, the show’s first season Spartacus: Blood and Sand starred the late Andy Whitfield as the titular warrior. However, after season 1 Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so producers retooled their plans for season 2 into a prequel miniseries titled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. The role of Spartacus was eventually recast with Liam McIntyre, who would go on to lead the show’s next two seasons, Spartacus: Vengeance and Spartacus: War of the Damned.

While the 2013 finale of Spartacus: War of the Damned eventually saw McIntyre’s character meet his fate, it seems that Starz is not yet finished with the franchise.

True. https://t.

Liam McIntyre as Spartacus

Starz is ready to return to the world of gladiators with a new chapter in the Spartacus franchise. Spartacus series creator Steven S. DeKnight is also diving back into ancient Rome as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on the new series.

“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,” said Steven S. DeKnight. “Together we are crafting something truly unique and unusual for the next chapter in this epic story.”

DeKnight took to Twitter to confirm he’s currently writing the pilot.

Spartacus aired for four seasons on the network, kicking off in 2010 with Spartacus: Blood and Sand starring Andy Whitfield in the title role. Tragically, Whitfield passed away in September 2011 of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Liam McIntyre took over the role beginning in season two.

Everyone, get out your swords and sandals because we're heading back to the arena! Starz has just announced that it is currently developing a new "Spartacus" series! Forgive the excessive use of exclamation points, but I loved every minute of this show from the first moment to the last, including the prequel "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena."

The first season of the series was entitled "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and debuted in 2010. Before the second season, star Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leading to the prequel to give him time to recover. Sadly, he passed away, and the role was recast with Liam McIntyre for season 2, "Spartacus: Vengeance" and season 3, "Spartacus: War of the Damned." 

The show was, as our title says, very sexy. Still, it was also a compelling drama about the titular Thracian gladiator who led a revolt of enslaved people against the Roman empire.

Steven S. DeKnight is ready to dive into the bloody world of Spartacus once again, as it has been announced that he’s currently developing a sequel series at Starz.

The Spartacus sequel series will “explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series’ iconic characters. In the aftermath of the defeat of Spartacus and his rebel army in the series finale, the new drama will depict a new tale of treachery, deceit, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome.” The first season of Spartacus, subtitled Blood and Sand, told the story of the man who would become Spartacus as he was sold into slavery and trained to become a gladiator. Filled to the brim with gruesome blood and sexual content, Spartacus was something to behold, particularly with its unique visual style and scripting. Tragically, Andy Whitfield, who played the title character, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and later died,...

Starz is getting back into the swords and sandals biz.

The cable net announced Thursday that it is developing a new iteration of Spartacus, with the franchise’s original creator, Steven S. DeKnight, on board as showrunner/EP. Per Starz, the quasi-reboot “will explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series’ iconic characters.” Set in the aftermath of defeat of Spartacus and his rebel army, Spartacus 2.0 will “depict a new tale of treachery, deceit, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome.”

More from TVLineTVLine Items: Alyssa Milano Tempts Fate, Bruce Willis Roast Host and MoreSpartacus Reruns...

Spartacus creator Steven S. DeKnight is expanding the franchise once again with a new series currently in development at Starz. DeKnight will serve as showrunner and executive producer of the as-yet-untitled project.

The next chapter will explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series’ iconic characters. In the aftermath of the defeat of Spartacus and his rebel army in the series finale, the new drama will depict a new tale of treachery, deceit, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome.

“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,” said DeKnight in a statement. “Together we are crafting something truly unique and unusual for the next chapter in this epic story.”

The expansion of the Spartacus franchise is the latest to follow this new...

Starz is plotting a return to ancient Rome, and to its first breakout original series.

The premium cable outlet is developing a revival of/ sequel to Spartacus, the first original show to reach a wide audience. Series creator Steven S. DeKnight is writing the new take — Starz says it will “expand” on the original — and will serve as showrunner.

“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,” DeKnight said in a statement. “Together we are crafting something truly unique and unusual for the next chapter in this epic story.”

Spartacus: Blood and Sand premiered in January 2010 on Starz and was a hit for the cabler, setting ratings marks that would stand for several years (eventually topped by the likes of Outlander and Power). The series — known for its hyperreal,...

Ioane “John” King, the New Zealand-born actor who starred as the gladiator Rhaskos in Starz’s “Spartacus” series, has died following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Facebook. He was 49.

The actor starred in “Spartacus” from 2010 to 2013, and reprised his role in the prequel miniseries “Spartacus: Stars of the Arena.” The Stephen S. DeKnight show chronicles Spartacus’ journey from Roman gladiator to rebellion leader.

In a Facebook post, his family wrote that he “passed in the company of loving friends and family.”

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“John leaves a big hole in this world, having been a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and human being,” the post continued. “Those of us lucky to have met him will carry on with his legacy of kindness, positive influence, hard work and love.”

The actor had announced...

I,oane ‘John’ King, one of the prominent cast members of the Starz drama Spartacus, has died at age 49 of adenocarcinoma cancer, which spread to his pancreas and other organs.

He announced his condition in January. No information on where he died was available.

The New Zealand actor played gladiator “Rhaskos” in the series.

Manu Bennett, who played Crixus in the show, paid tribute to his co-star on Instagram.

“On Spartacus, John was hired as an extra. But with a powerful presence & ever positive attitude amongst the cast & crew, won himself the speaking role of Rhaskos. I remember John most fondly for his huge grin & sparkle in his eye when he would welcome me & others onto set each day, offering the Gladiatorial forearm handshake & acknowledging in his deep raspy voice, ‘Brother!’”

His family said the actor “passed in the company of loving friends and family.”

“John leaves a big hole in this world,...

Patrick Stewart “with hair” memes have gone viral on Twitter after yet another person entered the search term on Google (“Patrick Stewart with hair”) and ended up with that photo of actor Andy Whitfield. Patrick Stewart is best known for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek. Many of Stewart’s fans have […]...

If you Google “Patrick Stewart with hair,” as we all do every day or so, one of the first results will be a black and white photo of a man in a suit who kind of, sort of looks like a young Stewart. This man, it turns out, is not Patrick Stewart, but Andy Whitfield, an actor who has never been on Star Trek and, as his…...

It is hard to believe that it has been eight years since Spartacus and his band of gladiators came to life on our television screens. Despite the tragic loss of its star Andy Whitfield in Season 1, the Starz drama continued captivating audiences for three seasons and a prequel mini-series thanks in large part to its supporting cast members. Lucy Lawless stood out on the series as Lucretia, the ride-or-die wife of lanista Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. At the time, she knew the role would be compared to her famed portrayal of Xena: Warrior Princess, but she didn't see it that way. "I think it’s just that she becomes more Machiavellian as things go against her and her husband. She thinks she’s right all the time. She’s forced to do these terrible things. She knows they’re not okay, but she doesn’t have any choice," she said in 2009. "You taunt an injured snake.

Dustin Clare.

Aussie actor Dustin Clare has joined the newly retitled Pacific Rim: Uprising (previously Pacific Rim: Maelstrom) alongside John Boyega and Scott Eastwood.

Steven S. DeKnight is directing the project, with Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, and Guillermo del Toro (the director of the original) producing alongside Boyega and Femi Oguns..

Cale Boyter is exec producing the Universal/Legendary pic, which will bow in theaters February 23 next year.

Clare appeared in Stan's recent Wolf Creek series. His other credits include All Saints, McLeod's Daughters, Underbelly, The Eye of the Storm and Goddess.

The actor is probably best known internationally for starring roles in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and Spartacus: War of the Damned. Starz's Spartacus franchise has form with Australians, with the late Andy Whitfield and Suicide Squad's Jai Courtney starring in the first season..

Clare moved into writing and producing with 2014 indie feature Sunday,...

Joseph Baxter Aug 31, 2016

The director of Taken 2 and Taken 3 - Olivier Megaton - is set to tackle The Champion...

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a science-fiction stylised take on the Gladiator genre is in the works with the Taken sequels director Olivier Megaton. Brandishing the title, The Champion, the prospective film is being described as 'a futuristic Spartacus', depicting the ordeal of a man imprisoned for an act of terrorism he apparently didn’t commit and forced to participate in a type of gladiator arena that yields the possibility of winning his freedom.

It’s a familiar sounding story, recalling the various versions of the Roman Empire-era-set Spartacus story like the 1960 Kirk Douglas-starring classic and the iterations of the 2010-2013 Starz Spartacus television series like Blood And Sand, starring the late Andy Whitfield. A futuristic take on the grueling grandiosity of the gladiator arena should make...

Be Here Now (The Andy Whitfield Story), the documentary that followed Spartacus star Andy Whitfield’s fight with cancer, is collaborating with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to spread awareness of blood cancers — including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which Whitfield died from in 2011. The organization will hold film screenings hosted via Tugg's distribution platform to raise funds. This news dovetails with theatrical release of the film that begins Friday in New York, April 15…...

Tugg and Be Here Now Productions have released for trailer for Be Here Now (The Andy Whitfield Story) ahead of the film’s April bow. Be Here Now shares the moving story of Andy Whitfield, who rose to fame as the star of Starz series Spartacus. Shortly after finding huge success as an actor, Andy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Be Here Now follows Andy, his wife Vashti, and their family as they deal with Andy's diagnosis and treatment, relying on each other for…...

Be Here Now (2015) Film Review from the 21st Annual Los Angeles Film Festival, a movie directed by Lilibet Foster, starring Andy Whitfield and Vashti Whitfield is a documentary that is truly heartwarming and motivational about the former Spartacus actor Andy Whitfield. What started as a Kickstarter project mended into a devastating yet telling love story that truly proves the strength behind the love between Andy and his wife Vashti.

The film starts off with Andy who is re-diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and we journey with him as he fights his battle with cancer. The truly touching story speaks about staying in the present and not fearing what we don’t know. He takes us to India as he tries to keep an open mind on trying every possible healing process. When an astrologer tells him that he will live a short life, he decides to go back to Australia and begin chemotherapy.

Jai Courtney's co-stars rank among the biggest A-listers in showbiz. From working with Angelina Jolie in Unbroken to co-starring alongside Tom Cruise in his first major feature film, Jack Reacher, Jai's resume is already impressive, and his career is only heating up.

Watch: The 4 Biggest Revelations From the ‘Insurgent’ Behind-the-Scenes Teaser

So in honor of his 29th birthday on Sunday, we’re sharing seven reasons why Jai is a total megastar in the making!

1. He’s in incredibly well-known films, but still somehow flies under the radar.

"I think I'm just lucky to be in a bit of a sweet spot at the moment where opportunities are there. you know, there's enough exposure to enjoy some of that," he told Et while promoting Insurgent. "It's usually a positive experience but I still, I'm pretty anonymous."

2. He was very close with late actor Andy Whitfield, who he met on the set of Spartacus: War of the Damned in 2010. Though...

Steven S. DeKnight , the creator of Spartacus is angry with how Syfy dealt with the series finale. The show ended after 3 season and one prequel aired, causing a special montage being created to honor the original star Andy Whitfield. He passed away shortly after season one wrapped up, causing the rest of the series having Liam McIntyre play the title role. DeKnight wanted to show respects to both stars and the series, which was down played and cut short by Syfy. Here was his reaction.

Thanks! They completely f***ed the end credits for the series finale on SyFy. Grr. Argh. Rt @simon_lindsell: @BharatKrishnan I’m 47, the end of Spartacus had me in tears…and Andy’s post-credit appearance – perfect

We can see why he was upset by this. However, he should have expected that from a network. The montage was better left as a web exclusive or added in the series DVD collection.

The Die Hard series may be alive and well, but there's a unique story behind the writing of each one…

As any action fanatic will tell you, Die Hard is among the best films of its type ever made. Tautly directed by John McTiernan, deceptively well shot by cinematographer Jan de Bont, and full of charismatic turns from Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia, it’s seldom been bettered, even by its sequels.

The key to the first film's success, and the sequels in their best moments, is hero John McClane. Tough, sarcastic but ultimately human and relatable, he cuts a very different figure from the beefed-up, larger-than-life heroes of 1980s and 90s action cinema. When John McClane gets shot or injured, he actually feels pain. It's something we were keenly aware of in the 1988 original, but gradually ebbed away as the Die Hard franchise drifted from thriller territory...

Fans of the hit Starz series Spartacus can now enjoy the entire three-season run with Spartacus: The Complete Series, which is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD from Anchor Bay Home Entertainment. All 33 episodes are included in this boxed set, along with never-before-seen special features such as Spartacus Fan Favorites With Liam McIntyre and The Last Word: John Hannah, which will offer even more entertainment after the series has run its course.

We have a giveaway lined up where fans can take home Spartacus: The Complete Series on Blu-ray to enjoy this show in high-definition, the way it was meant to be seen. These prizes will be gone before you know it, so take a look at how you can win below.

Winners Receive:

Spartacus: The Complete Series Blu-ray

Here's How To Win!

Just "Like" (fan) the MovieWeb Facebook page (below) and then leave a comment below telling us...

Spartacus composer Joseph LoDuca explains how the hit Starz series is a "composer's dream" in our exclusive featurette for Spartacus: The Complete Series, which will debut on Blu-ray and DVD September 16 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

The musician reveals that Spartacus is one of the few television shows to use a full orchestra to compose the score, while highlighting the themes he came up with for characters like the "rock star" Gannicus (Dustin Clare), battle scenes and much more in our exclusive featurette.

Spartacus: The Complete Series is the classic tale of Spartacus, the Republic's most infamous rebel who comes alive in the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Then comes Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the prequel that explores a deadly history before the arrival of Spartacus, and the death he now carries with him. The second season, Spartacus: Vengeance, continues to follow Spartacus as he is faced with...

Spartacus composer Joseph LoDuca explains how the hit Starz series is a "composer's dream" in our exclusive featurette for Spartacus: The Complete Series, which will debut on Blu-ray and DVD September 16 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

The musician reveals that Spartacus is one of the few television shows to use a full orchestra to compose the score, while highlighting the themes he came up with for characters like the "rock star" Gannicus (Dustin Clare), battle scenes and much more in our exclusive featurette.

Spartacus: The Complete Series is the classic tale of Spartacus, the Republic's most infamous rebel who comes alive in the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Then comes Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the prequel that explores a deadly history before the arrival of Spartacus, and the death he now carries with him. The second season, Spartacus: Vengeance, continues to follow Spartacus as he is faced with...

Some television shows feel like they're going to be smash hits before anyone's seen a frame of footage; usually because of the writers working on it, the network's reputation with its genre, or the popularity of the actors involved.

Other programmes even feel like they're simply too big to fail; such as HBO's Game of Thrones and AMC's The Walking Dead, which also benefit from having rich source material to mine and a ready-made, evangelical audience.

But what about the TV shows that felt like bad ideas before they'd aired - or even during their debut season - yet managed to overcome widespread uncertainties and grow into well-regarded programmes it's hard to imagine we were ever unsure about?

Let's take a look at some recent examples of popular TV shows that didn't initially feel like they'd work, but proved the doubters wrong...

1. Sherlock

Expectation: A modernisation of a literary character...

All hail Spartacus - his legend will live on! Anchor Bay Entertainment releases every season of the acclaimed Starz Original series in a complete muscular thirteen-disc Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet and DVD box set on September 16th. From executive producers Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight, here is every moment - uncut and uncensored - of the series that broke all the rules and took no prisoners! Spartacus: The Complete Series is a beautifully packaged collection that contains a full disc of new bonus features. The Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet edition contains three new audio commentaries for the first season that are exclusive to this collection. A limited edition Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet set packaged with a Spartacus collector's figurine will also be available with an Srp of $199.99. Srp is $149.99 for the Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet and $119.98 for the DVD. Pre-book is August 13th.

Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Release Date: Sept. 16, 2014

Price: DVD $119.98, Blu-ray $149.99, Limited Edition Blu-ray with Figurine $199.99

Studio: Starz/Anchor Bay

The dust has settled and the blood-stained ground is quiet for Spartacus. But for those who haven’t witnessed the epic struggle of a gladiator forced into combat who would become the stuff of legend, the journey is about to begin.

The entire Spartacus TV show is collected in these box sets.

Every release of the Spartacus series, especially the Blu-ray versions, have been spectacular both in their visual representation and sound. The Blu-ray discs are reference material without a doubt, and we don’t expect any less from this new complete series release.

If you’re a fan of the sandal epic then you really Need this set if you don’t already own them.

The series will be released in the standard Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet, as well as...

Over the weekend Arrow star Stephen Amell spent an hour taking questions from passionate fans at Phoenix Comicon. Over the course of the session we learn what John Barrowman taught him about social media; which Arrow character Amell would want to play if he weren’t playing Oliver Queen; what happens when he misses one of the rungs on that salmon ladder and much more.

At one point Amell also mentions having auditioned to replace Andy Whitfield in Spartacus, explaining he went to New Zealand for a final callback and the part came down to just him and Liam McIntyre. The audience sighs at what might have been, but Amell is quick to declare, “It all worked out!”

Full Amell interview session below via youtuber Nai Wang

Related: Stephen Amell’s Superheroic Workout Video

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