The Gay Actn Hero on Spartac is Back Tonight

Contents:

• THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK
• EL BO GAY ‘SPARTAC’
• "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

THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK

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.

I hated myself afterwards for eatg , but was jt so, gay characters have a history of beg killed off TV and film. “Spartac” que narra os passos Espárta, um cravo que se tornou gladiador e chamou bastante atenção do públi gay por a dos homens mculosos que participavam da trama.

EL BO GAY ‘SPARTAC’

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?

" 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? Sally Magay...

"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