14 DAY TRIAL // Starz's bold project “Spartacus” has just received an expiry date: the series will end with the upcoming and third season, “Spartacus: War of the Damned,” the network has announced.
Fans of the show must already know that it ran a troubled course, though a very successful one as well.
Now, they will have to come to terms with knowing that there will be no more arena adventures once the third season airs, Vulture writes.
“Farewell, Spartacus. Starz announced today that the show's third season, Spartacus: War of the Damned, will be its last, which will reduce the amount of sweaty nudity and muscular encounters on cable television by at least half – maybe more, depending on how True Blood fares this season,” the e-zine writes.
However, fans aren't to start stocking up on hankies yet because “War of the Damned” is still some distance away.
“The show's ten-episode final season doesn't start until January, so you have plenty of time to build a little TV shrine,” Vulture points out.
After the first season, “Blood and Sand,” which proved a hit with fans and critics alike both because of solid acting and controversial imagery, the show's star, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with cancer.
While he received treatment, he took some time off shooting. In order to not alienate the fanbase, Starz shot a prequel without him, which also turned out to be hit: “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.”
As production on a second season was under way, Whitfield passed away. This left Starz with the difficult decision of whether to replace him or kill the show on the spot.
Eventually, the network opted for the former option, bringing in Liam McIntyre to take over Andy's part.
“Spartacus: Vengeance” continued the winning streak for Starz, which will officially end with “War of the Damned” early next year.