Clare, Ramirez, Murray

Dustin Clare, a popular Australian actor, has been cast as the lead of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, a six-episode “prequel” Spartacus series that Starz put into production when lead actor Andy Whitfield was struck with cancer.

Clare plays Gannicus, a gladiator who becomes champion of the Capua prior to Spartacus’ arrival.

Whitfield, who has recovered from cancer treatment, will have a small role in two of the series’ episodes.

Spartacus actors Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Peter Mensah, and Manu Bennett are also returning, in more substantial roles.

Other new actors joining Clare will be Jaime Murray, who plays a social-climbing friend of Lucy Lawless’s Lucretia, and Marisa Ramirez, who plays a slave-girl.

Spartacus: Gods in the Arena will air next January. A second “regular” season featuring Whitfield will reportedly begin production later this year.

Similar Posts:

• Breaking: SPARTACUS Star Andy Whitfield’s Cancer Has Returned, Future of Series in Doubt
• “We Cut Out All the Boring Parts,” Say the Producers of SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA
• SPARTACUS Episode Review (Pre-1): On Being Thrust Back Into the Past
• Starz to Air Six-Episode “Prequel” SPARTACUS Series
• The Story Behind the Story of the SPARTACUS prequel, GODS OF THE ARENA