With the most recent season Spartacus all wrapped up and aired on Starz, the network has decided to have a little fun with their epic series. Starting this summer on June 8th, the cable network will air each and every episode of their series in chronological order. That doesn’t mean they will be airing in the order in which the seasons were released, but airing according to the historical timeline in which each season takes place. Therefore Gods of the Arena will kick off the event on June 8th, Blood and Sand will begin on June 22nd and Vengeance will air all over again starting July 20th. This would be a great way for anyone to catch up who doesn’t want to go renting a bunch of DVD’s from Netflix. There’s plenty of blood, sex, drama and more awaiting if you decide to partake. Check out the full press release and episode schedule after the jump.

Australian actor Dustin Clare starred as Gannicus, the former champion of Capua, in the series prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Now, his character is returning to the current season, Spartacus: Vengeance, in Episode 5, entitled “Libertus,” airing on Starz on February 24^th.

During a recent interview to promote his character’s return, Dustin Clare talked about making the transition from series lead in the prequel to part of the ensemble in Season 2, what Gannicus has been through in the last five years, the challenges he faces as a free man, how Gannicus will be received by the other characters, how he initially got involved with Spartacus, and what it takes to train and prep for the show. Check out what he had to say after the jump.

With the debut of the second season of the series coming in the form of Spartacus: Vengeance on Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10/9c, Starz has decided now is the time to announce their renewal of the series for a yet-to-be-titled third season. While some of you might be thinking that the series is already heading into its third season with Vengeance, the prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is not considered to be in the same line-up as the series that started with Spartacus: Blood and Sand. That certainly seems a bit confusing, but fans should have no trouble keeping things straight. This season, Australian actor Liam McIntyre has assumed the title role for what will likely be another epic and bloody season of Roman action and intrigue. Hit the jump for the full press release.

To fight in the arena, you must have skill, strength and a physique I could never even dream to achieve. In Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the prequel to the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, we see the posturing, deception and loss necessary to elevate the House Batiatus as Capua stands on the precipice of the opening of its great arena… More blood and sandals after the jump.

In the Starz original series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, actor Aussie Dustin Clare plays Gannicus, a true physical specimen who is fearless in the gladiator arena and possessed by a thirst for the fleeting pleasures of life. Newly promoted to the top position at Batiatus’s (John Hannah) Ludus, Gannicus is best friend to Oenomaus (Peter Mensah) and his wife Melitta (Marisa Ramirez), forming an unlikely triangle of loyal friendship.

During a recent interview to promote the prequel to the popular Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Dustin Clare talked about being the new guy, the extensive physical preparation and training that was involved, not wanting to be known as a sex symbol, and working with Lucy Lawless. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

The new Starz original drama series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is the prequel to the popular first season, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Going back a few years prior, this mini-series showcases the time when the House of Batiatus is on the rise and basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus (Dustin Clare), whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. Batiatus (John Hannah) will freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand, and his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) is by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the talents of her seductive friend Gaia (Jaime Murray) when needed. Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power and bleed Capua dry.

During a recent interview to talk about Gods of the Arena, show creator/head writer/executive producer Steven S. DeKnight talked about the prequel’s genesis, getting to explore some of the early history of characters that couldn’t be delved into more deeply in Blood and Sand, following the same tone and style of violence and nudity that the series has become known for, and book-ending this mini-series with the Spartacus character to tie everything together. He also talked about where he plans to head with Season 2, which will be called Spartacus: Vengeance, and the choice of actor Liam McIntyre to take over the title role. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

On the Starz original drama series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the prequel for the popular Spartacus: Blood and Sand, actress Lucy Lawless plays Lucretia, a woman who is always supportive of her husband Batiatus’ (John Hannah) dreams, however wild the direction they threaten to grow. Though conscious of the role she’s expected to play as a proper Roman woman, she will discover that when the moment most needs it, she can do what is necessary to gain power.

During a recent interview to promote the prequel, Lucy Lawless talked about returning to a character that she thought was dead at the end of the show’s first season, the pleasure of seeing the early life of Lucretia, how much she hates doing action scenes, and the fact that she will be returning for Season 2, which is being called Spartacus: Vengeance, and will now feature Liam McIntyre in the title role. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

The triumverate of pay cable networks — HBO, Showtime, and Starz — all took heed of the old adage, “You ain’t nothing if you don’t bring footage to Comic-Con.”  So today we have trailers for each network’s respective flagship drama: season five of Dexter on Showtime, the second half of season three of True Blood on HBO, and the Spartacus: Blood and Sand prequel miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.  Check out all three after the jump.

The TV casting news is in full force today. First up, EW reports that Gregory Itzin, the once deceptive president of 24, has signed on for another government role as the actor will join the cast of Big Love as a pivotal politician. Itzin will take on the major recurring role of Senator Richard Dwyer, the Republican Majority Leader of the Utah State Senate. And since series lead Bill Paxton has just become a member of the State Senate, you can be sure they’ll be having plenty of interaction once the series starts production for its fifth season sometime this week.

Hit the jump for casting additions to The Good Wife, Detroit 1-8-7, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and the prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.