Starz Considering SPARTACUS Spin-Off Following Julius Caesar

Starz's hit SPARTACUS is headings towards its awaited conclusion with the third season premiering in January, but the network has decided not to abandon the source material entirely, Deadline has learned. Starz is reportedly exploring its options in developing a spin-off series following Roman leader Julius Caesar, with SPARTACUS executive producer Robert Talpert heralding the conversation.

Caesar, the legendary leader, will be featured in SPARTACUS' third and final season, WAR OF THE DAMNED, premiering January 25, 2013. Australian actor Todd Lasance is portraying Caesar.

"Spartacus: War of the Damned" features a stunning cast headed by Liam McIntyre (The Pacific, "Neighbours") as the title character. Joining McIntyre are Manu Bennett (Lantana, "Xena: Warrior Princess") starring as the iconic Crixus, Dustin Clare ("McLeod's Daughters", "Satisfaction") as the skilled Gannicus, and Dan Feuerriegel ("McLeod's Daughters," Winners & Losers") as the loyal Agron. A now fierce Naevia is played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Colombiana, "CSI") and wild Saxa is Ellen Hollman (Skateland). Joining the cast this year are Simon Merrells as Marcus Crassus and Todd Lasance as the legendary Julius Caesar.

The season opens and Gaius Claudius Glaber is dead. Many months have passed since his defeat, and the rebel army, led by Spartacus and his generals Crixus, Gannicus and Agron continue to amass victories over Rome. With the rebel numbers swelling to thousands of freed slaves, and Spartacus more determined than ever to bring down the entire Roman Republic, the horde become a force that challenges even the mighty armies of Rome. Together, the rebels engage in one bloody skirmish after another and prepare for the inevitable: a full out war.

With a production style completely unique to television, the franchise has amassed both critical and popular acclaim to become not only the most successful on the network, but one of the highest rated programs in all of cable television. More than six million viewers have seen each episode of the series, which has amassed more than 2.5 million Facebook fans.

Airing in more than 150 countries, the series has been translated into more than 15 languages and is considered an unqualified smash everywhere it runs, which includes: Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and more. The enormous international success has led to global licensing for a variety of rights, including: authentic prop replicas, publishing, soundtracks, motion comic books, trading cards, and a few more major deals soon to be announced. Here in the US and abroad, the DVDs continue to be one of the most popular titles sold at all major retailers, appearing in the Top 10 of all TV titles sold.