Starz Orders Second Season of ‘Spartacus'

Pickup comes in advance of series' Jan. 22 premiere

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/21/2009 2:28:01 PM

Spartacus has yet to premiere on Starz, but the premium cable network is giving the series a vote of confidence, picking up a second season of the swords-and-sandals drama.

The series premiere of Spartacus is set for Jan. 22 at 10 p.m., with the first season titled Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Season two will begin production in New Zealand in early 2010, and will likely be titled Spartacus: Vengeance.

Spartacus is from Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven D. DeKnight, who is also the head writer on the show.

"We couldn't be happier with the first season.  Spartacus delivers on all levels--action, characters, intrigue, romance and excitement," said Starz Entertainment EVP, Programming, Stephan Shelanski announcing the pickup. "Spartacus is the most ambitious original project we've ever undertaken, and speaks to the commitment to our subscribers to provide truly original programming along with our unmatched lineup of theatrical features."

Related: I Am Spartacus...and I Need a Prosthetic