Starz Entertainment
Key Insights
- Show Background: The series Spartacus aired from 2010 to 2013, gaining a cult following.
- Streaming Notice: It is currently available on Netflix but will be removed after September 15.
- Production Team: The show was executive-produced by renowned filmmakers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.
- Sequel Announcement: A sequel series titled <em>Spartacus: House of Ashur</em> was announced but canceled after one season.
Few readers may recall that just two years ago, Peacock released a show titled Those About to Die, based on the novel that inspired Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Much like the movie John Carter, which was also marketed as an inspiration for more popular properties, the show came and went without making much noise. It tells the story of gladiators in ancient Rome, from the perspective of soldiers, charioteers, and various unsavory characters. The trouble was that the show felt stale to audiences that had grown up on Gladiator and a certain Starz series that gained a cult following in the early 2010s.
The Starz series is currently also available to stream on Netflix, but not for much longer. It premiered in 2010, not long after the blockbuster success of Zack Snyder’s 300. Developed by Steven S. DeKnight, the series revolved around the politics of ancient Rome, with characters ranging from corrupt officials to entitled socialites and brawny fighters. The titular protagonist was played by the late Andy Whitfield, who sadly passed away after completing work on the show’s first season. Liam McIntyre stepped into the central role from the second and third seasons. A prequel season without the title character was filmed between Seasons 1 and 2, while production was paused on the mainline show after Whitfield’s passing.
A Cult Classic Sword-and-Sandal Series Is Departing Netflix
We’re talking, of course, about Spartacus — the sword-and-sandal series that scandalized audiences with its graphic nudity and violence. The series was executive-produced by none other than the dream team of Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, with John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, and 300 and Gladiator II star Peter Mensah. Spartacus aired three seasons and the prequel on Starz from 2010 to 2013, and a decade later, Starz announced a sequel series titled Spartacus: House of Ashur. The 10-episode show was canceled after concluding its debut season earlier this year. The original run of Spartacus holds a 64% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. It’ll be available to stream on Netflix until September 15. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
