Starz Shines With New Episodes Of "Spartacus: Blood And Sand"

February 10, 2010 6:24 a.m. EST

New York City, NY, United States (CNS) - The sword and sandals epics of yesteryear are getting a modern-day boost thanks to the programmers of Starz.

New episodes of the hit Starz original series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" are set to continue airing on the cable movie channel. Following the life of the eponymous historical figure first made famous on the screen by Stanley Kubrick's 1960 film, the New Zealand-filmed series is produced by Sam Raimi and stars Australian actor Andy Whitfield and New Zealand native and "Xena: Warrior Princess" actress Lucy Lawless.

The story focuses on Thracian soldier Spartacus's (Whitfield) experiences as a slave for the Roman Empire during the 1st century B.C. His role as a gladiator serves as a way for the brutal warrior to stay alive as he attempts to put his life back together and free himself and his wife (Erin Cummings), who also serves as a slave. Likewise, Spartacus's owner (John Hannah) and his wife (Lawless) are facing their own difficulties, as she pursues an affair with Crixus (Manu Bennett), the most vicious gladiator around.

The nearest upcoming episodes for the series, which airs new segments at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Fridays, is "The Thing in the Pit," premiering February 12, focusing on Spartacus's temporary exile into an underground world where he must rely on his wits more than ever to keep himself from losing his head.

On February 19, viewers will have the opportunity to watch the following episode "Shadow Games," in which hated rivals Spartacus and Crixus must team up to take down the latest powerhouse in the gladiator arena.

Other forthcoming episodes for the show include "Delicate Things," "Great and Unfortunate Things," "Mark of the Brotherhood" and "Whore."