SPARTACUS BLOOD+SAND

i was watching our usual put-me-to-sleep-series-ANTM, Mike Rosenthal (http://www.mikerosenthal.net/) ~photographer+hottie extraordinaire~ was just finishing his pictorial and i could hear mr.jay droning on,  i felt my peepers closing, growing heavier and heavier (and in a minute or so i knew i would be there waltzing with the Sandman~ZZZzzz~) when T, one of my flatmates, who was then doing her report, watching Youtube, playing with her Pets at FB, eating *duogzsh! duogzsh!* and making gummi bears dance :D (see Teeeeen, any girl can multitask ;p) when she suddenly asked me, napanood mo na ba yung Spartacus? (have you watched Spartacus?) 

o_0 hellooooo!!! 

heck i've probably seen it like a hundred times [me referring to Stanley Kubrick's 1960's historical (drama) film + Howard Fast's novel] which i usually catch every Holy Week because my Dad just so loooves it! *sigh*

T: hindi yung new series, yung parang 300...wait hanapin ko uli. 

Me: anu yun? *yawn!*


T: *after a minute or so* eto, eto, tingnan mo *pointing at a Youtube trailer*

Me: oh, wow! o_0 *cute dude* wahahaha si Xena!!!

T: maloka ka kay John Hannah!!!




 
hmmm...and i knew that there's another series i would be anticipating til next year.

SPARTACUS BLOOD+SAND

Betrayed by his country. Beaten into slavery. Reborn as a warrior. "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is a graphic and visceral account of Rome’s most famous gladiator. When he’s separated from the love of his life, Spartacus is forced into the gruesome and bloodthirsty arena, where a grisly death is primetime entertainment. Spartacus must fight for survival, befriend his enemies and play politics in this new world of corruption, violence, sex and fame. He’ll be seduced by power and tormented by vengeance. But his passion will give him the strength to prevail over every obstacle, in this modern and uninhibited tale of death, honor and endurance.

CAST:

SPARTACUS-Andy Whitfield

 A Thracian Soldier in the Roman Auxiliary who was taken prisoner. As punishment for defying Legate Claudius Glaber he was sentenced to die in the gladiator arena.  Against all odds, he survived killing four gladiators.  His sentence was communted to slavery and he was bought by Batiatus to be trained as a gladiator in the Ludus.  His rebellious tendencies are tamed by the promise of one day be reunited with his wife Sura. 

LUCRETIA-Lucy Lawless

Batiatus’ equal in every way, she sees every angle and manages situations with a steel grip inside a kid glove. Sexually passionate and longing for a child, she takes Crixus for her lover. She sees Spartacus as a wild animal who cost too much and will bring misfortune upon the Ludus.

BATIATUS-John Hannah

The owner of the Ludus, he has fallen upon hard times financially.  He bought Spartacus hoping to achieve greatness once again.  In his wife Lucretia, he has found a true partner both emotionally and physically.  They share a passionate marriage and desire for social advancement.  There is very little Batiatus can or will deny her.

 DOCTORE-Peter Mensah 

Having been raised at the Ludus, he is Batiatus’ most loyal and trusted slave. Once a highly celebrated gladiator and the only person to survive the Shadow of Death, Doctore now teaches others to fight. He is a hard man who spares no excess emotion. His only concern is for the welfare of those he trains. He dislikes Spartacus because he believes him to be a danger to those around him.

 CRIXUS-Manu Bennett

Crixus is the top gladiator at Batiatus’ Ludus. He has a deep-seated dislike of Spartacus. Because of his status, he receives certain perks within the ludus including spending money and his own cell. He is also sleeping with Lucretia, his mistress. During the walks to and from her bedroom, Crixus enjoys stolen moments with Naevia, the slave girl with whom he shares a forbidden love.

ILITHYIA-Viva Bianca

The spoiled, selfish daughter of Senator Albinius, she is also the wife of Claudius Glaber. Young and impressionable, she finds herself alone and bored in Capua. Seeing potential advancement for herself and Batiatus, Lucretia takes Ilithyia under her wing, determined to introduce her to all the sensual pleasures of the ludus.

 GLABER-Craig Parker

A Roman Legate who aims for great things, without the ability to achieve them. Though he loves his wife, he married her for the political advantage she provides. He blames Spartacus for his failed military campaign.

VARRO-Jai Courtney

A free man, he sold himself into Batiatus’ Ludus to pay off his gambling debts and provide for his wife and child. A good fighter who follows orders, he is accepted easily by the other gladiators. Despite his success, he has a certain awe for Spartacus because he defeated four gladiators in the arena. He is Spartacus’s only friend in the Ludus.

SURA-Erin Cummings

Spartacus’ wife and a Thracian priestess who foretells his life will bring great and unfortunate things. She is captured at the same time as Spartacus, but while he goes to Capua, she is raped by soldiers and sold into slavery with a Syrian.

ASHUR-Nick Tarabay

A former gladiator who now walks with a limp, he is the resident bookie. He takes odd on everything from who will survive initiation to who Batiatus should back in the pit fights. He is the man within the Ludus who can get something for everyone, but he is also the least liked or trusted.

BARCA-Antonio Te Maioho

A big, hulking brute of a man, he is more than just a successful gladiator, he is also Batiatus’ body guard and hit man. His harsh nature is off-set by the tenderness he shows for his collection of birds and his love for Pietros, a slave boy. After Spartacus survives the pits and saves Batiatus’ life, Barca gives him begrudging respect.