Starz's 'Spartacus' Will Battle for a Second season

Starz’s freshman fantasy drama action series Spartacus: Blood and Sand has been greenlighted for a second season.

According to Variety.com, “Season one launches Jan. 22, and production on season two will begin in first quarter 2010 in New Zealand. Thirteen episodes have been ordered.”

The network's Executive Vice President of Programming Stephan Shelanski explained that the early pickup of the series was to demonstrate that Starz is dedicated to creating original dramas as well as allowing actors and writers sufficient time to ready themselves for a second season. He added that the announcement was to solidify in viewers’ minds just how much the network supports the series.

From Variety:

“Starz already has a title for season two – ‘Spartacus: Vengeance’ -- and skein marks the second original drama in the cabler's lineup. ‘Crash,’ co-produced with Lionsgate, just finished its second season last Friday but with ratings diminished from season one. No decision has been made on whether a third season will be ordered.’”

Starz Media produces the show that stars Australian newcomer Andy Whitfield as the title character along with ex- Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, who played Jonathan Carnahan in The Mummy movie trilogy and Peter Mensah, who can currently be seen in theaters in the James Cameron-directed science fiction thriller Avatar.

Steven S. DeKnight is the film’s showrunner with its executive producers being Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi and Joshua Donen.