With news of ex-HBO Chief Chris Albrecht becoming new CEO of Starz TV and the station's commitment to producing original scripted dramas, the upcoming 'gladiator' TV series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" has been given a second season order of 13 more episodes, before the first season launches Jan. 22.
Season Two, "Spartacus: Vengeance" will start production Spring 2010 in New Zealand. 
Produced by Starz Media, "Spartacus" stars Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah and Peter "300" Mensah in a bloody, sexy epic, closer in spirit to "300", than Stanley Kubrick's "Spartacus". 
Exec producers are Rob "Xena" Tapert, Sam "Darkman" Raimi, Joshua Donen and showrunner Steven S. "Smallville" DeKnight. 
"...Betrayed by his country. Beaten into slavery. Reborn as a warrior. 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' is a graphic and visceral account of Rome’s most famous gladiator. When he’s separated from the love of his life, Spartacus is forced into the gruesome and bloodthirsty arena, where a grisly death is primetime entertainment.
Spartacus must fight for survival, befriend his enemies and play politics in this new world of corruption, violence, sex and fame. He’ll be seduced by power and tormented by vengeance. But his passion will give him the strength to prevail over every obstacle, in this modern and uninhibited tale of death, honor and endurance..."
Devil's Due has also published a comic book series adapting "Spartacus: Blood and Sand".
"...With the entire kingdom at stake, 'Batiatus' must forge into the battle without really knowing exactly who his enemy is. Are those bent on bringing him down the ones with swords and spears, or those that he considers his most trusted allies? "
