The prequel to Spartacus: Blood & Sand is scheduled to premiere 4 January 2011 on Starz, who've now released a full-length trailer (see above). Conceived as a stopgap project (in light of Spartacus star Andy Whitfield's battle with cancer), Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena is a six-part adventure following a new gladiator called Gannicus (Dustin Clare). It will star most of Blood & Sand's cast (John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, Lesley Ann-Brandt), who'll be joined by Jaime Murray (Dexter, Hustle) and Marisa Ramirez. Andy Whitfield will appear as Spartacus to bookend the prequel's story, but the actor's health problems mean he won't be returning for Blood & Sand's second season next summer.
