The Gay Actn Hero on Spartac is Back Tonight

spartacus gay characters

Agron is a gay character om Spartac. This sectn is need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by edg . This sectn is need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by edg . This sectn is need of major improvement. Please help improve...

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THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK

Dan Ferriegel, the hunky actor om Spartac: War of the Damned, talks about playg one of TV's first gay actn hero, survivg the show's btal boot mp, and preparg for those famo same-sex love scen. * spartacus gay characters *

The seri quickly unfold to an trigug tale of power, honor, vengeance, and romance -- romance which clus the love story that began last season between two gay rebel warrrs, Agron (played by Dan Ferriegel) and Nasir (Pana Hema-Taylor).

On Starz, hunky Dan Ferriegel tells about his preparatn for scen between his character and Nasir, survivg the show's tense physil trag regimen, and playg one of TV's first gay actn 'd been workg as an actor Atralia for a few years before landg the role of Agron Spartac.

" But other than that wasn't until the send season that was absolutely clear and right ont of your was your reactn when you found out you'd be playg a gay gladiator? His sexualy don't change that as far as I'm many gay fans, watchg a character like Agron on Spartac is huge bee there aren't any other gay characters like him on televisn. I've heard people tell me there's never been a gay character like Agron on TV before, and some fans have even thanked me bee they now feel like they have a gay actn hero and 's very enarg to hear that kd of stuff.

"SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011/11:28 AMBY BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011 / 11:28 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA\" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE ORIGAL","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WARNG: THIS ARTICLE CLUS MOR SPOILERS ON THE UPG SEASON OF SPARTAC: GODS OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD, WHO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TLE CHARACTER LAST YEAR'S BREAK-OUT BLE H SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WAS DIAGNOSED WH NCER, FORCED THE PRODUCERS OF THE SHOW TO GET CREATIVE WHILE THEY HOPEFULLY WAED FOR HIM TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE RULT IS A SIX-EPISO "PREQUEL" SERI BUTG JANUARY 21ST ON STARZ THAT BEGS WH A GLT THE EYE OF BATIAT DYG AT THE END OF BLOOD AND SAND AND TAK BACK TO TELL THE STORY OF BATIAT' LUD BEFORE SPARTAC' {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ALSO GAVE THE PRODUCERS A CHANCE TO TELL A GAY SUB-PLOT THAT SEEMS NSIRABLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE BETWEEN BAR (ANTON TE MAHA) AND PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) BLOOD AND SAND: BAR'S EARLIER LOVE AFFAIR WH FELLOW GLADIATOR AUCT, PLAYED BY JOSEF BROWN, AN ATRALIAN DANCER AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOSEF BROWN AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THE BAR-AUCT RELATNSHIP IS THAT ’S TWO ALPHA MAL," THE SHOW'S -CREATOR STEVEN DEKNIGHT TELLS "IT’S TWO GUYS WHO ARE GLADIATORS. WH BAR AND PIETROS' RELATNSHIP, BAR BEME SORT OF A GENTLE GIANT AROUND PIETROS. WH AUCT, THE ARE TWO GUYS WHO LGH AND LOVE, AND THERE’S A JOY TO THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT I THK WH THE PIETROS RELATNSHIP, WAS MUCH MORE OF A GENTLE KD OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WH BAR AND AUCT, THERE’S JT THIS EBULLIENCE, THIS EFFERVCENCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY SPEND A LOT OF THE PREQUEL JT LGHG AND HAVG A GREAT TIME. THEY’RE ALSO TWO OF THE BT GLADIATORS THERE. YOU’LL SEE BOTH BAR AND AUCT FIGHTG. ONE OF THE THGS I REGRET [ABOUT THE FIRST SEASON] IS THAT WE NEVER SAW BAR FIGHTG – JT FLASHBACKS. THERE WERE SCEN, BUT THEY ALWAYS GOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR HAS A REALLY FANTASTIC FIGHT THE ARENA, AND SO DO AUCT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INTERTGLY, THE PREQUEL SERI ALSO CLUS A GAY SEX SCENE THAT IS MORE EXPLIC THAN THE BRIEF SCENE BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONE OF MY FAVORE MOMENTS – I THK ’S EPISO TWO OR THREE – {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[THE SEX SCENE] BETWEEN BAR AND AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "THEY HAVE AN EXCHANGE THAT BE SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I JT LOVE. IT EMBODI EVERYTHG THAT I WANTED OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RELATNSHIP, WHICH IS A PHYSIL, JOCULAR TYPE OF RELATNSHIP. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENJOY TRYG TO ONE-UP EACH OTHER. THEY’RE BOTH FIGHTERS, AND THEY’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOTH EQUALS. THERE’S NO LITE FLOWER THIS RELATNSHIP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FIRST EPISO, MEANWHILE, CLUS A PRETTY STEAMY (AND NU) LBIAN SEX SCENE BETWEEN LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) AND GAIA (DEXTER'S JAIME MURRAY), EVEN AS NTU THE SHOW'S TRAMARK BLENDG OF EXPLIC SEX WH EXTREME AND GRAPHIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEKNIGHT AND -CREATOR ROB TAPERT HAVE BOTH PREVLY EXPRSED A STRONG SISTENCE ON CLUDG BOTH GAY AND LBIAN CHARACTERS AND STORYL TO THE SERI (SPE SOME PH-BACK OM STRAIGHT MALE FANS ON THE TER), AND THEY'RE CLEARLY LIVG UP TO THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE AUCT OBVLY DON'T MAKE TO SEASON ONE, N WE ASSUME HE DI OVER THE URSE OF THE PREQUEL?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I N’T REVEAL WHAT HAPPENS TO AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "OBVLY, HE’S NOT SEASON ONE, BUT THAT DON’T MEAN HE DI – JT THAT HE’S NOT THERE. BUT HE PLAYS A PIVOTAL, PIVOTAL ROLE THE PREQUEL. IT’S TERTG BEE THE AUCT CHARACTER HAS A EP EFFECT ON THE OTHER CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW. THERE’S SOMETHG THAT HAPPENS THAT SENDS A CHARACTER ON A URSE THAT CHANG EVERYTHG REALLY SEASON ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOSEF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEKNIGHT IS PARTICULARLY PLEASED WH THE STG OF JOSEF BROWN AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE LOOKED AT SO MANY PEOPLE FOR THE ROLE," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "I NEED SOMEONE WHO STANTLY LOOKED LIKE A GLADIATOR, BUT ALSO HAD THAT KD OF ROGUISH CHARM, AND SOMEBODY THAT MATCHED WELL WH ANTON [WHO PLAYS BAR]. AND WHEN I SAW [BROWN], I LOVED HIS DN, AND I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT WE SHOULD ST HIM, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS A DANCER UNTIL AFTERWARDS. WHEN YOU SEE HIS ACTN STUFF, PECIALLY STUFF THE ARENA, HIS DANCG BACKGROUND GIV HIM SUCH A GRACEFUL ELEMENT. HIS FLUID MOV ARE LIKE NOTHG I’VE SEEN THE RT OF THE SHOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROWN (CENTER) PERFORMG THE SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY'S SALOME (1998){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A REGRET DEKNIGHT HAS WH THE PREQUEL SERI IS THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TELL THE BEGNG OF THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS THAT BLOSSOMS (AND IS CUT SHORT) BLOOD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"EKA [DARVILLE, WHO PLAYED PIETROS] WASN’T AVAILABLE, BEE I PLANNED TO CLU THE TRODUCTN OF PIETROS AND HOW BAR FIRST FELL FOR HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT WOULD’VE HAPPENED IF THE ACTOR HAD BEEN AVAILABLE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HALFWAY THROUGH THE PREQUEL, PIETROS WOULD’VE BEEN BROUGHT AS A SLAVE," DEKNIGHT SAYS, "AND BAR STARTS TO HAVE EY FOR HIM, AND PROBLEMS WH AUCT. THE KD OF PROBLEMS ANY UPLE WOULD HAVE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EKA WASN’T AVAILABLE FOR THAT PART OF THE STORY. IT’S MY GREAT REGRET THAT WE ULDN’T GET EKA BACK, BUT I HEAR HE’S ON TERRA NOVA."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) (LEFT) AND BAR A SCENE OM BLOOD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE STILL MORE GAY MALE CHARACTERS SEASON TWO OF SPARTAC, G NEXT YEAR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"OF URSE," DEKNIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA PREMIER JANUARY 21ST AT 10 PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

* spartacus gay characters *

I hated myself afterwards for eatg , but was jt so, gay characters have a history of beg killed off TV and film. Warng: This article clus mor spoilers on the upg season of Spartac: Gods of the actor Andy Whfield, who playedthe tle character last year's break-out ble h Spartac: Blood and Sand, was diagnosed wh ncer, forced the producers of the show to get creative while they hopefully waed for him to rult is a six-episo "prequel" seri butg January 21st on Starz that begs wh a glt the eye of Batiat dyg at the end of Blood and Sand and tak back to tell the story of Batiat' lud before Spartac' also gave the producers a chance to tell a gay sub-plot that seems nsirably different than the one between Bar (Anton Te Maha) and Pietros (Eka Darville) Blood and Sand: Bar's earlier love affair wh fellow gladiator Auct, played by Josef Brown, an Atralian dancer and Brown as Auct“What I really love about the Bar-Auct relatnship is that ’s two alpha mal, " the show's -creator Steven DeKnight tells "It’s two guys who are gladiators.

"Intertgly, the prequel seri also clus a gay sex scene that is more explic than the brief scene between Bar and Pietros Season One.

DeKnight and -creator Rob Tapert have both prevly exprsed a strong sistence on cludg both gay and lbian characters and storyl to the seri (spe some ph-back om straight male fans on the ter), and they're clearly livg up to their Auct obvly don't make to Season One, n we assume he di over the urse of the prequel?

EXCLIVE: MEET "SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND"'S INTRIGUG NEW "GAY" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010/4:31 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010 / 4:31 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"EXCLIVE: MEET \"SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND\"'S INTRIGUG NEW \"GAY\" CHARACTER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}****WARNING*** THIS POST REVEALS THE INTY OF THE GAY CHARACTER THE NEW STARZ SERI SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND. STOP READG IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANYONE WHO KNOWS EVEN A LTLE ABOUT ANCIENT ROME, GREECE, ETC. KNOWS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS WERE AN TEGRAL PART OF THOSE SOCIETI. OF URSE, THAT DON'T MEAN HOLLYWOOD HASN'T UALLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT WHEN DOG MOVI OR SHOWS ABOUT THE ERA. THK RSELL CROWE'S GLADIATOR OR GERARD BUTLER'S 300 WHICH PECIALLY OOZED HOMOEROTICISM WHOUT ANY ACTUAL HOMOS. MEANWHILE HBO'S ROME CLUD SOME GIRL/GIRL PAIRGS BUT LEFT OUT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OBVLY, NOT EVERY ROMAN EPIC NEED HAVE "GAY" NTENT, BUT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WERE OCSNALLY CLIVE, NOT TO MENTN HISTORILLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORTUNATELY, BLE WORK STARZ IS ABOUT TO THE RERD STRAIGHT -- SO TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE FOURTH EPISO OF THE SEASON (BUTG JANUARY 22ND AT 10 PM) WE LEARN THAT THE CHARACTER OF BAR (ANTON TE MAHO), A GLADIATOR FIGHTG THE LUD (THK TRAG AMY) OWNED BY BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH), IS NOT ONLY "GAY" BUT HAS A RELATNSHIP WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHO AS BAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WE LEARN THE A PARTICULARLY ... VISUAL WAY. LET'S JT SAY 'S NOT SOMETHG SEEN TOO EQUENTLY ON AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO BAR'S FELLOW GLADIATORS FEEL ABOUT HAVG A "GAY" GLADIATOR THEIR MIDST? IS THERE SOME TYPE OF ROMAN "DON'T ASK/DON'T TELL" POLICY AT WORK? NOT THE LEAST. IN FACT, 'S A PLETE NON-ISSUE WHICH IS JT AS SHOULD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE IS HOW THE WORK SCRIB THE CHARACTER:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A BIG, HULKG BTE OF A MAN, AN TEEMED GLADIATOR AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BATIAT’S BODYGUARD AND SOMETIM H MAN, BAR IS SEND ONLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIX AT THE LUD. THOUGH POSSSED OF A TEMPER AND AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STATURE, HE TEMPERS THIS WH THE TENRNS HE SHOWS HIS LLECTN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BIRDS AND PIETROS, A SLAVE BOY. HE IS EE OF GUILE, LOYAL TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT SECRETLY P TO GA HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR ISN'T LIKE QUE LIKE ANY OTHER GAY CHARACTER YOU'VE SEEN ON TELEVISN BEFORE. NOT ONLY IS HE TOUGH AS NAILS (HE'S NICKNAMED THE BUTCHER OF CARTHAGE FOR HIS FEATS ON THE BATTLEFIELD), BUT HE'S ALSO KD OF AN ARROGANT, FOUL-MOUTHED JERK WHO, AT LEAST SO FAR, IS NOT ON THE SI OF SPARTAC (ANDY WHFIELD). AND THAT'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'RE ALL ABOUT GAY VISIBILY HERE AT AND THAT CLUS GAY CHARACTERS OF ALL STRIP. HAVG A CHARACTER LIKE BAR NOT ONLY ADDS TO THE DIVERSY TO THE TV LANDSPE, BUT UNTERS STEREOTYP THAT A GLADIATOR CHARACTER ULDN'T BE "GAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BY THE WAY, I KEEP PUTTG THE WORD "GAY" QUOT BEE ANCIENT CULTUR LIKE ROME AND GREECE DIDN'T THK ABOUT SEXUALY THE WAY WE DO. THERE WASN'T REALLY AN IA OF "GAY" OR "STRAIGHT" THE WAY WE THK OF THEM. INSTEAD WAS MUCH MORE ABOUT POWER AND BEG DOMANT VERS BEG SUBMISSIVE. WHICH ISN'T TO SAY THAT TWO MEN ULDN'T LOVE EACH OTHER THE WAY TWO STRAIGHT PEOPLE WOULD.  HOPEFULLY, SPARTAC WILL MUNITE THAT SI OF THGS AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS FOR THE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE SHOW SHOW, WE'LL HAVE A FULL REVIEW THE WEEK BUTS AND WE HAVE AN TERVIEW G UP WH LUCY LAWLS WHO PLAYS LUCRETIA. BUT HAVG SEEN THE FIRST FOUR EPISOS, I N SAY THAT IF YOU ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF ANCIENT ROME AND GLADIATORS, THE SERI NOT ONLY LOOKS AMAZG, BUT IS VERY WELL-ACTED. AS LONG AS YOU N GET PAST THE GORE, 'S FELY A THUMBS UP OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND DID I MENTN ALL OF THE GLADIATOR EYE-NDY? CHECK OUT ON THE NEXT PAGE!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE THE RT OF THE MEN YOU'LL BE GETTG AN EYEFUL OF. AND I DO MEAN AN EYEFUL! FOR THOSE TERTED THE SORTS OF THGS, I DON'T THK WE'VE HAD THIS MUCH MALE NUDY ON TELEVISN SCE HBO'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDY WHFIELD AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BEN AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JAI COURTNEY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NICK E. TARABAY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL THE GAY CHARACTER THE SUBJECT LE OF ANY MENTS YOU MAKE! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Dan Ferriegel, the hunky actor om 'Spartac: War of the Damned,' talks about playg one of TV’s first gay actn hero * spartacus gay characters *

" Pietros (Eka Darville) (left) and Bar a scene om Blood and SandCan we expect to see still more gay male characters Season Two of Spartac, g next year? Agron is a gay character om Spartac. Badass Gay.

IN ADDN TO A GAY CHARACTER, "SPARTAC" ALSO FEATUR OUT ACTOR CRAIG {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 19, 2010/3:10 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 19, 2010 / 3:10 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"IN ADDN TO A GAY CHARACTER, \"SPARTAC\" ALSO FEATUR OUT ACTOR CRAIG PARKER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-01-19T20:10:38.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-01-19T20:10:38.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REGULAR REARS KNOW WE'VE BEEN TOUTG STARZ'S NEW SHOW SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND FOR QUE SOME TIME BEE FEATUR AN TRIGUG GAY CHARACTER. NOT TO MENTN PLENTY OF BEEFKE, AND OF URSE, SCE ALSO HAS LUCY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OVER THE WEEKEND, ONE OF OUR STAFFERS TUMBLED ACROSS THE THAT THE SHOW ALSO CLUS AN OUT ACTOR ONE OF THE MAJOR SENDARY ROL. THAT WOULD BE NEW ZEALAND ACTOR CRAIG PARKER WHOM MANY GENRE FANS WILL ALSO NO DOUBT REGNIZE OM HIS ROL LORD OF THE RGS AS HALDIR AND THE TELEVISN SERI LEGEND OF THE SEEKER WHERE HE PLAYS DARKEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SPARTAC, THE 39-YEAR-OLD PARKER PLAYS THE ROMAN GENERAL CLDI GLABER WHO NO END OF TROUBLE FOR OUR HERO PLAYED BY ANDY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT APPEARS PARKER FIRST PUBLICLY DISCSED BEG GAY AN TERVIEW WH NEW ZEALAND'S SUNDAY HERALD BACK 2008. REGARDG HIS SEXUALY, THE VERY PRIVATE PARKER TOLD REPORTER SHANNON HE THAT AS A GAY MAN, HE DON'T RE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIS SEXUALY AND THAT:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S JUT NOT AN ISSUE FOR ME. I JT DON'T GET WHY AN ACTOR WOULD WANT TO REVEAL THEIR SECRETS, HOP AND FEARS TO A MAGAZE OR NEWSPAPER. I KNOW WHAT THE MAGAZE GETS OUT OF , BUT NOT THE PERSON. IF YOU ARE DOG PUBLICY TO CREASE YOUR SELF-NFINCE THEN YOU ARE REALLY TROUBLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP SOME PRIVACY. YOUR IENDS AND FAY ARE THE PEOPLE YOU REVEAL YOURSELF TO. THEY ARE THE ON WHO SHOULD HAVE REAL ACCS TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I'M GLAD PARKER CID TO REVEAL THIS MUCH ABOUT HIMSELF, AS IS ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE ANOTHER OUT ACTOR THE WORLD, PECIALLY ONE PLAYG ROMAN GENERAL WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIGHT (EVEN IF HE ISN'T THE NICT GUY THE WORLD.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE SOME MORE PICS OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS HALDIR LORD OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS DARKEN RAHL LEGEND OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND AS THE LEAD A NEW ZEALAND SHOW LLED DIPLOMATIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

In killg off two gay characters, the show both broke new ground – and relied on tired clich. * spartacus gay characters *

Manyly Gay. ****WARNING*** This post reveals the inty of the gay character the new Starz seri Spartac: Blood and Sand.

Thk Rsell Crowe's Gladiator or Gerard Butler's 300 which pecially oozed homoeroticism whout any actual homos.

WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT "SPARTAC"' SHOCKG GAY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010/12:47 AMBY TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010 / 12:47 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT \"SPARTAC\"' SHOCKG GAY TWIST","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"TIM O'LEARY","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN THE STARZ WORK BEGAN S ADVERTISEMENT MPAIGN FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, SEEMED OBV THAT THIS WOULD BE A SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER ON TELEVISN. CLEARLY TAKG S VISUAL CUE OM THE FILM 300 AND S BASIC STORYLE OM GLADIATOR, WAS TO BE A SERI THAT WOULD PH THE BOUNDARI OF SEX AND VLENCE ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND THEN, ANOTHER BIG REVEAL: THERE WOULD BE EQUAL PARTS MALE AND FEMALE NUDY – ALMOST UNHEARD OF WHEN TO AMERIN ENTERTAMENT. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO LURE GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE VIEWERS, WE GOT THE SOP THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE – GET THIS – A GAY GLADIATOR. AND NOT JT ANY GLADIATOR, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGT AND TOUGHT ON THE SHOW!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR AKA THE BEAST OF CARTHAGE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BY NOW WE WERE HOOKED, AND STARZ NOT ONLY KEPT THEIR WORD, BUT EXCEED . Y, THERE WAS AMPLE EYE NDY THAT GAY MALE VIEWERS ULD ENJOY, AND Y, THERE WAS CERTALY A BAD-ASS GAY GLADIATOR, BUT THE WRERS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND BY SHOWSG THE FACT THAT THE GAY GLADIATOR, BAR, WAS A MTED AND LOVG RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER SLAVE NAMED PIETROS. EVEN BETTER, NONE OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS THOUGHT ANY LS OF HIM OR ANYTHG NEGATIVE ABOUT THEIR RELATNSHIP AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TE. IT EVEN ED SOME TO WONR WHO EXACTLY THE TARGET MOGRAPHIC FOR THIS SHOW WAS. SURELY, HETEROSEXUAL MEN AGED 18-35 WOULD BE UNFORTABLE WH THE LEVEL OF TIMACY SHOWN BETWEEN BAR AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT REALLY, THEY NEEDN’T HAVE WORRIED. BAR ONLY APPEARED FIVE EPISOS BEFORE HE WAS SAVAGELY MURRED BY A ROOMFUL OF MEN ONE OF THE SHOW’S PATENTLY GRAPHIC AND GOME SLGHTER SCEN. IN THE FOLLOWG EPISO HIS LOVER, PIETROS, BELIEVG BAR HAD BOUGHT HIS OWN EEDOM AND ABANDONED HIM, HANGED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR AND PIETROS ARE HARDLY THE FIRST GAY CHARACTERS TO DIE ON TELEVISN. IN FACT, THE PAST FOUR WEEKS ALONE WE'VE ALSO SEEN AD GLBT CHARACTERS ON BIG LOVE, LAW & ORR: SVU AND NCIS: LOS ANGEL. SADLY, THIS HIGH ATH TOLL FOR QUEER CHARACTERS IS NOTHG NEW FOR AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH THE BODY UNT FOR EACH EPISO OF SPARTAC IS HIGH, THE LOSS OF BAR FELT PECIALLY DISAPPOTG THAT WE WERE LOSG SUCH A UNIQUE CHARACTER. AFTER ALL, HE WAS A KILLG MACHE, REFERRED TO AS THE "BEAST OF CARTHAGE." HOW MANY PAST GAY CHARACTERS HAVE WE SEEN THAT E OTHER CHARACTERS TO QUAKE WH FEAR AT THE VERY MENTN OF THEIR NAME?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE ... WHAT WENT RIGHT AND WHAT WENT WRONG.  {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MAKE NO MISTAKE – BAR WAS NO SAT. IN FACT, A PREV EPISO HE MURRED A CHILD UNR ORRS OM HIS MASTER. BUT THE TWISTED MORALY OF THE WORLD OF SPARTAC, THAT N BE EXCED, FOR BAR HAD NO REAL CHOICE; IF HE REFED, THE CHILD WOULD STILL BE KILLED, AND BAR ALONG WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT'S TROUBLG HERE IS PARTLY THE TIRED OLD TROP THAT THE ATHS FELL BACK ON. SCE THE CHARACTERS  ARE SENDARY, THEY ARE VERY EXPENDABLE AND THEIR ATHS ARE, OR WILL BE, ED TO ILLTRATE AND FURTHER THE MA CHARACTER'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WORSE, BAR IS BTALLY KILLED BY A GROUP OF (PRUMABLY) STRAIGHT MEN, SOMETHG WE’VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGA. PIETROS, WHO IS NOT A GLADIATOR BUT A SLAVE, AND TH SMALLER AND WEAKER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER MEN, IS FIRST RAPED AND BEATEN BY ANOTHER SLAVE BEFORE HE KILLS HIMSELF OUT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW DO SERVE CRED, HOWEVER, FOR NOT FALLG BACK ON A VERY SPECIFIC TROPE: BAR'S AND PIETROS' ATH HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTG TO DO WH THEIR SEXUALY. JT THE OPPOSE, FACT: THEIR RELATNSHIP WAS PRENTED UNQUTNABLY AS A NORMAL, NON-NTROVERSIAL PART OF LIFE THE LUD WHERE THEY TRAED, AND NONE OF THE OTHER GLADIATORS BATTED AN EYE WHEN THEY EXPRSED AFFECTN FOR EACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS WAS BEE OF THIS ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT THEIR LOSS IS FELT SO SEVERELY BY GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WANT TO MAKE ONE THG VERY CLEAR. I NO WAY BELIEVE THEIR ATHS WERE DUE TO ANY MALIC TENT BY THOSE PENNG THE SCRIPTS. THE WRERS AND CREATORS OF THE SERI SERVE A LOT – A LOT – OF PRAISE FOR CLUDG OPENLY GAY CHARACTERS AND TREATG THEIR RELATNSHIP THE WAY THEY DID. I N’T IMAGE HOW MANY BATTL THEY MT HAVE FOUGHT TO GET BAR AND PIETROS ONTO OUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, BAR WAS NOT THE ONLY CHARACTER TO DIE THE EPISO THAT FEATURED HIS MURR; THE OTHER VICTIM WAS SURA, SPARTAC’ WIFE. THIS IS HIGHLY SIGNIFINT, AS THE WRERS SEEMED TO BE GOG TO GREAT LENGTHS TO NNECT THE TWO ATHS; OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE EQUATG THE LOVE BETWEEN SPARTAC AND SURA WH THE LOVE BETWEEN BAR AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOTH ATHS WERE MEANT TO ELIC FEELGS OF SORROW OM THE VIEWER, AND ARE NO DOUBT GOG TO PROPEL SPARTAC TOWARD THE REBELLN FOR WHICH THE REBEL SLAVE IS SO FAMOLY KNOWN. HAVG THE WRERS PLACE THE SAME SIGNIFINCE ON BOTH THE GAY AND STRAIGHT CHARACTERS THIS MANNER IS HIGHLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, THEIR ATHS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A WASTE. THERE ARE ALREADY PREC FEW GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, AND BAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE WE’VE EVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON A PERSONAL NOTE, BAR AND PIETROS WERE SPECIAL TO ME THAT I AM, WELL, AN UNBELIEVABLE GEEK WHEN THE SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH. I WAS WEANED ON STAR WARS AND THE MATRIX, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LOVER OF ACTN/SCI-FI/FANTASY GENRE SHOWS AND MOVI. ONE OF THE REAL LET-DOWNS WH THE PROGRAMS WAS THAT THEY RARELY EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE EXISTENCE OF GAY PEOPLE, LET ALONE FEATURE POWERFUL GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHEN GAY CHARACTERS DO APPEAR, THERE IS A FEELG EXCEMENT: FALLY, WE'VE MA . WE'VE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THEN TO HAVE THEM KILLED OFF SO SUDNLY AND HORRIFILLY ... LEAV A BAD TASTE ONE'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE ... WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.  {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT LLS TO MD THAT FEELG OF LOSS WHEN THE CHARACTER OF IANTO WAS KILLED OFF ON THE SCI-FI H TORCHWOOD LAST SUMMER. PARALLELS N CERTALY BE MA: BOTH WERE ACTN-ORIENTED MEN ON GENRE SHOWS, BOTH WERE EPLY LOVE, AND BOTH WERE KILLLED UNR TERRIBLY TRAGIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ATH OF IANTO JON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IANTO WAS A FASCATG CHARACTER: SOMEONE WE WATCHED GROW TO HIS OWN SK, SLOWLY BEG FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY AND HIS ATTRACTN TO ANOTHER MAN. THE FACT THAT MOST OF HIS SCREEN TIME WAS VOTED TO CHASG DOWN ALIENS MA THOSE SMALL HUMAN MOMENTS THAT MUCH MORE ABSORBG, AND MA HIS BTAL MURR SO VASTATG THAT OCCURRED JT AS HE WAS FALLY ABLE TO ACCEPT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN THOUGH SHE WASN’T A MAN, MANY GAY MALE FANS RELL FEELG EQUALLY VASTATED WHEN THE CHARACTER OF TARA WAS KILLED ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. HERE WAS A STRONG, TELLIGENT YOUNG GAY WOMAN A BETIFUL,{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MTED RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER WOMAN, AND JT AS THEIR RELATNSHIP BE STRONGER THAN EVER – ED, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWG THE FIRST TIME WE AS AN DIENCE SEE THEM MAKE LOVE – TARA WAS THOUGHTLSLY GUNNED DOWN BY A MOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE TIME, THERE WERE EVEN FEWER GAY CHARACTERS THAN THERE ARE NOW, AND HER LOSS ALT A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLOW TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ATH OF TARA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS AN DIENCE, WE HAVEN’T HAD THE TIME TO NNECT WH BAR OR PIETROS THAT WE HAD WH IANTO AND TARA, BUT NOHELS THERE REMAS THE FEELG THAT AN CREDIBLE OPPORTUNY HAS BEEN SQUANRED. BAR AND PIETROS ULD HAVE BEEN A GAY UPLE THE LIK OF WHICH WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE ON TELEVISN — A BTAL GAY WARRR AND HIS BRAVE, LOVG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOO BAD ALL WE HAVE NOW IS THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Obvly, not every Roman epic need have "gay" ntent, but would be nice if they were ocsnally clive, not to mentn historilly accurate. Fortunately, ble work Starz is about to the rerd straight -- so to the fourth episo of the season (butg January 22nd at 10 PM) we learn that the character of Bar (Anton Te Maho), a gladiator fightg the lud (thk trag amy) owned by Batiat (John Hannah), is not only "gay" but has a relatnship wh a slave. Let's jt say 's not somethg seen too equently on Amerin do Bar's fellow gladiators feel about havg a "gay" gladiator their midst?

He is ee of guile, loyal to Batiatbut secretly p to ga his isn't like que like any other gay character you've seen on televisn before. And that's 're all about gay visibily here at and that clus gay characters of all strip.

WILL "SPARTAC" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009/9:05 AMBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009 / 9:05 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WILL \"SPARTAC\" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG LAST JANUARY'S TCA PRS TOUR, I CHATTED WH STEVEN S. DEKNIGHT, THE HEADWRER FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WHO TOLD ME THAT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW STARZ SERI HAD YET TO YET SHOOT A SGLE SCENE, ST A SGLE ACTOR, OR EVEN WRE A PAGE OF THE SCRIPT, THE SHOW WOULD FELY CLU "GAY" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR , BUT AS MY MOTHER-L-AW ED TO WISELY SAY, "THERE'S MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP." WHILE I WAS HOPEFUL THAT DEKNIGHT WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH, I WAS ALSO WELL AWARE THAT MORE THAN ONE GAY CHARACTER HAS FAILED TO MAKE OUT OF THE WRER'S HEAD AND ONTO OUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OUR OWN BRENT HARTGER RECENTLY TALKED WH ROB TAPERT, SPARTAC' EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (AND THE CREATOR OF THE MUCH BELOVED XENA: WARRR PRCS) ABOUT THE SHOW, AND TAPERT NFIRMED THAT SPARTAC, CURRENTLY SHOOTG NEW ZEALAND, WILL ED CLU A GAY CHARACTER. WHEN PRSED FOR TAILS, TAPERT CLAMMED UP WHICH MEANS 'S TIME FOR TO PLAY ANOTHER ROUND OF "GUS THE GAY CHARACTER!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST, SOME MORE ABOUT THE SHOW WHICH TAPERT PROMIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST REALISTIC PORTRAYALS EVER SEEN OF GLADIATOR LIFE. WHICH I TRANSLATE AS "SCE WE'RE ON PREMIUM BLE, WE N BE AS SEXUALLY AND VLENTLY GRAPHIC AS WE LIKE." THAT ULD BE TERTG, PECIALLY PENDG ON WHO THE GAY CHARACTER(S) ARE AND THE FACT THAT STARZ IS SPENDG TWO LN DOLLARS PER EPISO. THERE IS BOTH SER TALENT AND MONEY VOLVED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PART OF WHAT MAK THE ROMAN ERA SO TERTG IS THAT THEIR CULTURE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SEXUALY. HISTORIANS BELIEVE THERE WASN'T REALLY A "GAY" INTY AS WE KNOW NOW, BUT NOHELS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS EXISTED. OFTEN WHAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GENR OF THE PERSON ONE SLEPT WH WAS THE STAT AND PERCEIVED POWER OF YOUR BEDMATE -- AND WHO DID WHAT TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHO ARE THE NDIDAT FOR OUR GAY CHARACTER? WHAT FOLLOWS IS A LIST OF EACH CHARACTER AND THE ACTOR WHO PLAYS THEM. AT THE END, I'LL BRIEFLY DISCS WHAT PAIRGS I THK ARE LIKELY, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, ETC. THEN YOU N GO FOR !{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ATRALIAN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD (GABRIEL) STARS AS SPARTAC, THE THRACIAN SOLDIER PTURED, TURNED SLAVE AND FORCED TO FIGHT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARTAC EVENTUALLY WDS UP THE PROPERTY OF BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH) AND HIS WIFE LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) WHO N A GLADIATOR TRAG MP AND ARE UNTG ON SPARTAC TO RTORE THEIR FALLEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH WILL PLAY DOCTORE, BATIAT' MOST TTED AND LOYAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BENT IS CRIX, THE TOP GLADIATOR AT THE MP AND A LIKELY RIVAL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHA PLAYS BAR, BATIAT' BODYGUARD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER HAS THE ROLE OF GLABER, A ROMAN LEGATE (GENERAL) WHO BLAM SPARTAC FOR THE FAILURE OF HIS ARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FALLY, NICK E. TARABY PLAYS ASHUR, A FORMER GLADIATOR WHO IS NOW A "BOOKIE" WORKG AT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME PRETTY TERTG SCENARS, NO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN TERVIEW WH , DEKNIGHT SAID, "THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THE SEXUALY OF THE TIM, WAS VERY DIFFERENT KD OF SEXUAL FEELG, PARTICULARLY WH THE SLAVE CLASS WHERE WAS PLETELY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SEX WH YOUR SLAV, EVEN SI A MARRIAGE. USUALLY WAS FE FOR A MAN TO HAVE SEX WH FEMALE SLAV AND SOMETIM THE MALE SLAV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GIVEN THAT MENT AND DEKNIGHT'S OTHER OBSERVATNS ABOUT POWER DICTATG WHO IS SUBMISSIVE AND WHO IS DOMANT, I'M THKG WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN BATIAT AND ONE OF HIS SLAV/GLADIATORS. I DOUBT ANYTHG WILL HAPPEN WH SPARTAC AND ANOTHER MALE. THIS MIGHT BE STARZ, BUT I DOUBT EVEN THEY WILL BE THAT EDGY -- THOUGH I'D LOVE TO EAT MY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT I ULD SEE SOMETHG HAPPENG BETWEEN BATIAT AND DOCTORE, OR BATIAT AND CRIX. FRANKLY, I ULD ALSO SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN A UPLE OF THE GLADIATORS, SAY CRIX AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATURALLY, 'S ALSO EASY TO SEE GLABER HAVG A RELATNSHIP WH A FELLOW SOLDIER, THOUGH I'D RATHER BE WH A ST REGULAR AND NOT SOMETHG SIAR TO PRCE JACK ON KGS WHERE HE HAD A RELATNSHIP, BUT WE NEVER REALLY GOT TO SEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ENTIRE SET-UP SEEMS RIFE WH POTENTIAL AND I ACTUALLY HAVE A FAIR B OF FAH DEKNIGHT AND TAPERT, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WA UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTNS AND/OR WISH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Havg a character like Bar not only adds to the diversy to the TV landspe, but unters stereotyp that a gladiator character uldn't be "gay. "By the way, I keep puttg the word "gay" quot bee ancient cultur like Rome and Greece didn't thk about sexualy the way we do.

JOSEF BROWN TO PLAY NEW GAY CHARACTER IN 'SPARTAC' PREQUEL

There wasn't really an ia of "gay" or "straight" the way we thk of them. Tarabay as AshurNote: Please do not reveal the gay character the subject le of any ments you make!

"BLACK SAILS" AND ITS BIG GAY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFFEBARY 22, 2015/3:22 AMBY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFFEBARY 22, 2015 / 3:22 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"BLACK SAILS\" AND ITS BIG GAY REVEAL","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-02-22T08:22:52.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-02-22T08:22:52.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NEWNOWNEXT STAFF","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STARZ HAS BEEN BY LATELY RVG OUT A NICHE WH HISTORIL DRAMAS FOR MATURE DIENC-- YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THEIR ORIGAL PROGRAMMG IS HEAVY ON THE SEX, VLENCE AND PERD STUM. THEY WON OUR HEARTS WH SPARTAC – A SHOW PRIMARILY AIMED AT STRAIGHT MEN, BUT WHICH NEVERTHELS HAD LOTS OF POSIVE LGBT NTENT TUCKED AMONG THE BLOOD AND GORE. (THAT CLUD NASIR & AGRON-- A FAN FAVORE GAY UPLE WHO FIED THE ODDS AND GOT A HAPPY ENDG A WORLD WHERE CCIFIXNS AND OTHER HORRIFIC CHARACTER ATHS WERE THE NORM.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THE GOODWILL STARZ EARNED WH GAY DIENC VIA SPARTAC MAY HAVE BEEN SQUANRED WH THE FURIATG DA VCI'S DEMONS, A SHOW THAT MTED THE RDAL S OF TAKG ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST IMPORTANT GAY FIGUR – LEONARDO DA VCI – AND MAKG HIM EFFECTIVELY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO, IS STARZ' EARLY 18TH CENTURY PIRATE SERI BLACK SAILS — NOW MIDWAY THROUGH S SEND SEASON — ANOTHER SPARTAC... OR ANOTHER DEMONS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS NEHER. THE SHOW IS GEO TO LOOK AT AND ACTN-PACKED, BUT OVER THE FIRST SEASON AND A HALF THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE A LOT THERE SPECIFILLY FOR GAY (MALE) DIENC. SURE, THE SHOW FEATUR MANY ATTRACTIVE ACTORS, AMONG THEM TOM HOPPER, TOBY STEPHENS, ZACH MCGOWAN AND TOBY SCHMZ. (ADD BON, A UPLE OF THE GUYS SEEM TO HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT FULL ONTAL NUDY.) THE SERI ALSO N BOAST A CENTRAL LBIAN CHARACTER-- A BETIFUL AND CLEVER PROSTUTE NAMED MAX (JSI PARKER KENNEDY) WHO HAS HAD TWO VERY PASSNATE RELATNSHIPS WH OTHER CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTERS. BUT GAY MEN AT LEAST SEEMED PRETTY MUCH ABSENT OM THE NVAS. THAT IS, UNTIL LAST NIGHT'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}*** MAJOR SPOILER ALERT ***{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FANS OF THE SHOW MAY WISH TO WATCH THIS WEEK'S BLACK SAILS EPISO BEFORE GOG TO THE NEXT PAGE AS A MAJOR PLOT POT IS REVEALED...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'D HEARD MORS THAT THE SHOW WOULD BE TRODUCG A GAY MALE CHARACTER, BUT WE DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT TO BE THE SERI LEAD. LAST NIGHT WE LEARNED VIA FLASHBACK THAT THE FIERCE AND FEARSOME CAPTA JAM FLT WAS EPLY LOVE WH ANOTHER MAN. IN FACT, WAS THAT LOVE AFFAIR AND S TRAGIC ENDG THAT GOT FLT EXILED OM ENGLAND AND MOTIVATED HIM TO TAKE THE HELM OF A PIRATE SHIP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR A FULL SEASON AND A HALF BLACK SAILS HAD GIVEN VIEWERS A BIG MISDIRECTN. IT SURE LOOKED AS IF FLT HAD AN ONGOG AFFAIR WH THE MYSTER MIRANDA BARLOW (LOUISE BARN)-- BUT FACT HIS ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP HAD BEEN WH HER SENSIVE HBAND THOMAS HATON (PLAYED BY RUPERT PENRY-JON).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}(L TO R) RUPERT PENRY-JON, TOBY STEPHENS AND LOUISE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNFORTUNATELY, FLT'S RELATNSHIP WH THOMAS HATON EXISTS ONLY FLASHBACK. HIS FORMER LOVER IS PRUMABLY AD... OR LOCKED AWAY A BRISH ASYLUM (LAST NIGHT'S EPISO SEEMED GEY ABOUT SPELLG OUT HATON'S PRECISE MISE). IT'S POSSIBLE THAT FLT'S ROMANTIC LIFE WON'T BE EXPLORED FURTHER. STILL, HIS BEG GAY IS NOW A MAJOR PLOT POT AND HELPS TO RM THE CHARACTER'S ACTNS GOG ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE START OF THE SERI. APPARENTLY LAST NIGHT'S BIG GAY REVEAL WAS PLANNED OM THE SHOW'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLACK SAILS IS A LOOSE PREQUEL TO ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON'S TREASURE ISLAND. IT FEATUR YOUNGER VERSNS OF CHARACTERS OM THE BOOK, LIKE BILLY BON AND JOHN SILVER. IN STEVENSON'S NOVEL A MUCH OLR LONG JOHN SILVER IS ON THE HUNT FOR "CAPTA FLT'S BURIED TREASURE." GIVEN THAT BOOK TAIL, BLACK SAILS' VERSN OF CAPTA FLT PROBABLY WILL BE STICKG AROUND FOR SOME TIME TO E. (AT LEAST LONG ENOUGH TO GET HIS HANDS ON SOME TREASURE AND THEN GO BURY SOMEWHERE!){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FLT IS PLAYED BY ACTOR TOBY STEPHENS (STEPHENS IS THE SON OF DAME MAGGIE SMH). WHILE THE DRIVG FORCE BEHD HIS CHARACTER MAY BE CLEARER NOW, THE MOTIVATNS OF OTHER CHARACTERS REMA MURKY. I FOR ONE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FLT'S EXACT RELATNSHIP WH THE SHIP'S BOATSWA BILLY BON (TOM HOPPER). ON SEVERAL OCSNS THE HONORABLE BILLY HAS LIED FOR AND PROTECTED FLT. A PAST ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO WOULD CERTALY HELP TO EXPLA BILLY'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALSO LET'S FACE , SEEG THOSE TWO TOGETHER WOULD BE HOT AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANY SE, AS OF LAST NIGHT STARZ' BLACK SAILS HAS BEE A LOT MORE TERTG. NOT THAT WASN'T TERTG TO BEG WH -- GAY ELEMENTS OR NOT, 'S A PRETTY ENTERTAG SHOW. UNFORTUNATELY, MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR NEW VIEWERS TO JT JUMP TO THE MIDDLE OF THE SEND SEASON. THERE'S A LARGE ST. THE PLOTTG IS NSE AND HEAVILY SERIALIZED. PIRATE-Y MUMBLG SOMETIM PERVAS. ARRRRGH!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL YE MATEYS, WE THK THERE'S TREASURE TO BE HAD. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAMPLE THE SERI, STARZ HAS MA THE FIRST EPISO AVAILABLE FOR EE. THE ENTIRE FIRST SEASON IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND ALL EPISOS OM BOTH SEASONS ARE AVAILABLE TO STARZ SUBSCRIBERS VIA STARZ ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU'RE ALREADY A FAN OF BLACK SAILS LET KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF LAST NIGHT'S EPISO. AND BE SURE AND CHECK BACK WH ON MONDAY AS WE'LL HAVE AN TERVIEW WH ACTOR TOBY STEPHENS AS WELL AS SHOW CREATORS JONATHAN E. STEBERG AND ROBERT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEW EPISOS OF BLACK SAILS AIR SATURDAYS AT 9PM ET/PT ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

And most recently that romance clud the love story that began last season between two gay rebel warrrs, Agron (played by Dan Ferriegel) and Nasir (Pana Hema-Taylor) the Spartac's fal season, Spartac: War of the Damned, premierg tonight at 9 p. On STARZ, hunky Dan Ferriegel recently spoke about his preparatn for scen between his character and Nasir, survivg the show's tense physil trag regimen, and playg one of TV's first gay actn one particular moment, Ferriegelelegantly explas why he's glad his character is able to open up and have a soft, sensual si when he's alone wh the people he lov: "I would've been disappoted if all they red about was two guys havg sex and keepg their relatnship purely physil. The upg Starz drama seri Spartac: Blood and Sand will clu both gay and lbian characters, executive producer Rob Tapert told today.

Tapert cled to elaborate on the gay and lbian characters, but Lawls’s character is not expected to be one of them. So the gay stori are totally accsible and don’t have to be handled wh kid glov. DeKnight add, “There will fely be gay characters on the show, and relatnships.

terview is the first nfirmatn that there will be gay women, as well as gay men, on the seri.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* SPARTACUS GAY CHARACTERS

The Gay Actn Hero .

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