Having decimated legions of Roman soldiers, burned down an entire arena and successfully killed those on his “to do” list, it looks like Starz’ Spartacus is going to be hanging up the proverbial sandals after his third (and now final) season, Spartacus: War of the Damned.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise after the network ordered season 3 weeks prior to the premiere of Spartacus: Vengeance, the long-overdue second season that successfully transitioned Liam McIntyre into the lead role, following the unfortunate illness and untimely death of original star Andy Whitfield.
Though series creator Stephen S. DeKnight had hopes for the series running longer, having War of the Damned serve as the final season was ultimately best for the series. While speaking with IGN, DeKnight said:
“This show has been challenged, to say the least, in many, many ways. We’ve faced many difficulties and tragedies on the show. My original plan was to attack the show in a five- to seven-season arc. Once we got into it and after Andy [Whitfield]’s passing and looking at the historical story of Spartacus, we came to the decision to basically end on a high note.”
“We certainly could have continued for a few more seasons and stretched it out, but we really wanted to end high and not feel like we were treading water – and really just condense the rest of the history into one amazing ten-episode, badass final season. You know, the whole show was a huge risk from the start for Starz, and it was another huge risk when I decided to try to keep the show going after Andy’s passing. Any normal studio would have just cancelled the show at that point and not risk the financial downside of it not working. But Starz, thankfully, really stuck by the show, and they really wanted it to be told all the way to the end. They didn’t want to cheat the viewers and just suddenly pull the plug. So they gave us this opportunity to wrap up the story, and we’re certainly taking that opportunity and running with it. This is by far the biggest season we’ve ever attempted.”
According to an interview in Entertainment Weekly, War of the Damned will take the epic, stylized action the series has become known for and attempt to reach new heights with which to send the series off. One of the ways DeKnight and his team plan to do that is to cut to the chase by bringing Spartacus face-to-face with his biggest challenger, Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells). DeKnight said:
“The scope and scale [are] just amazing. We’re dealing with massive battles between thousands of people. We hope to leave people feel satisfied. Looking at the story in the history books, it’s wave after wave of Roman senators going after Spartacus who are defeated until [Roman general Marcus Crassus] comes in. There’s only so many battles you can put a spin on. So let’s pick out the most interesting moments in this struggle and lay out a clear narrative for Spartacus and his rebellion. I wanted to lay out a strong forward narrative with a strong antagonist.”
“Crassus is kind of like the Roman boogieman we’ve been talking about for the last three seasons. We meet him in episode one and you totally get that this is a guy who — maybe he can’t equal Spartacus in a one-on-one fight, but he’s just as shrewd and smart and dangerous as Spartacus.”
As far as historical dramas go – even ones that have taken such creative license as Spartacus – the question typically comes down to how feasible it is to maintain a series that is ultimately beholden to fact. Even though DeKnight stated he believed the series could run for a few more seasons, it seems the network is ready to move on with other original programming like Magic City and Boss. Moreover, it is likely that Starz is simply making room for Davinci’s Demons from Batman Begins writer David S. Goyer, as well as the recently announced pirate series Black Sails from Michael Bay.
Either way, Spartacus: War of the Damned certainly sounds like it will end the series in truly epic fashion. According to DeKnight, that’s the ideal way for him to bring this series to a close.
“I would much rather end a series with the audience wanting more than limping to the finish line, with only the die-hard fans sticking around for the wrap up. We want to make the 10 best episodes we can. I can’t wait for everybody to see it.”
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Spartacus: War of the Damned will premiere on Starz in January 2013.
Source: IGN, Entertainment Weekly
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This should not be the end of Spartacus this is a really awesome show an to end it like this would be devastating me an my husband have watched this show from the very start an would really hate for it to go out like this that DeVinci series is nothing compared to Spartacus. If Starz take’s this off for those other shows it will really be downgrading because none of them compare to Spartacus!!!!
Its the best series i have ever seen nut guys,go watch Vikings its also a wery good serie
Sorry to see Spartacus ended. Can we have a Caesar series that follows the Spartacus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to see Spartacus ended. Can we have a Caesar series that follows the Spartacus!
Gutted that Spartacus is finishing. Wished there was more. Will miss it.
friday nights will never be the same again, am a 36 year old male from jamaica and i never really watched tv shows but this spartacus was an ecception ive seen all 4 seasons and its very sad to see it end there is nothin to compare it to and ther will not be a nother show like this for a long time, thanks to starz its producers, writters and charachters for such a beautiful historical film
hey i am from jamaica too, and i could not agree with you more.
Would love to see more hystory-based tv series from you guys, Spartacus was among the top 3 all time favorite tv series in my book.
Now, after the show’s end I feel like I lost some thing prcious. On the other hand, I want to thank producers and everyone who made the show for giving me so many, powerful emotions throughout last three years. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ANDY, for being true Gladiator. THANK YOU Liam, for the grat management of the burden you had to deal with after Andy’s death.
Greetings from Poland for the cast, crew and and all Spartacus’ fans.
I’ve watched each episode and some more than once. The great USA seems a lot like Rome right now. Well see how the majority reacts when life isn’t so easy anymore. Most are living in la la land right now.
Actually the series Spartacus of the greatest series I’ve seen I was very saddened to kill Spartacus and the end of the story, but there is a solution to the work of the season or more of this series by survival Janieks and joining the Irgun and the beginning of a new war assumed against the Romans and seeing the end of the Romans on his hand
sad case,thought it could always have next season.. a great show indeed.
I am really sad to see this series come to an end ,I have been watching it right from the word go and it is one programme I will never forget it will stick in memory for as long as I live ,Great job starz nothing on television will ever be as good as “Spartacus” …Real talk
Amazing series, artistically well done. So sad to see it end. Have watched the last episode 3 times already,
Just watched Season 3, Episode 10, “Victory”…Damn, is that the last one? I’ve been watching since season one…I absolutely loved all of it…I originally watched the old movie, “Spartacus”…that was really awesome…I was hoping that maybe the producers of the series could change it around and have the slaves win instead in this one…that would have been nice! They cant show another episode, or another series?…showing what happens after…in Rome…and with the freed slaves? That would be nice!
what an awesome ending befitting the series.
I came to enjoy that almost Shakespearean dialogue and state of the art special effects and choreographed fight scenes.
well done kiwis!
I’m going to miss Spartacus but I must admit and be honest that I did like the original Spartacus ( Andy Whitfield) better. My hat goes off to McIntyre for bringing that character back to life. I miss Andy though
I agree with this. But eventually Liam did a great job.
I’m not happy this has finished, it’s the only decent show on the box, I hope they re think for the fans of the show.
Come on people Spartacus is not a story with a happy ending. Its been a great bunch of series but if you know anything about the story at all you know it doesnt end well for the slaves. I mean what would a future series of Spartacus be called for one thing “Ghost of Spartacus”? or maybe Spartacus somehow turns history takes rome and becomes Emperor? No Basically Spartacus HAD to end some time.
This has truly been the best series EVER!! I cant believe it ended.. lets hope the producer decides to take on another story that can grip the audience as much as spartacus did.
It’s a nice series ever, I am Singapore and I really like the series very much!!!! I am a bit sad that it end at season 3. Anyway, good job for the production.
A sad end messed up fun series I hope that there will be another part of that series and be the last episode in the third part is just a dream to Spartacus wake him to begin a new war against the Romans.
I think the writers will now do something with the Triumvirate of Crassus, Caesar, and Pompeii. Two of the characters are established and Pompeii was finally introduced in the finale and there is almost nothing better than Roman intrigue. Et tu Brute?
I think victory episode may not be final episode, because story is still rest of.
heey guys i wanna ask something…i just watched spartacus season 3 episode 10..is that the end and its true that spartacus has dead o its just lying to romans?
this whole season of spartacus is really good to watch but im really looking forward for more but unfortunately it has come to an end. Thank you Starz for screening this show.
So sad to see this series end. It was very emotional at the final scene without being over the top. Have first few seasons on dvd and hope to get the final one too so I can watch at leisure. Great job.
i will miss this,. stars, you rocks thank you guys,
in an alignment of Spartak now watch other TV series unthinkable.