However much time has elapsed since one’s last partaking of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, comparisons between Liam McIntyre and Andy Whitfield will inevitably be drawn, and it seemed to me that the cleanest slate possible would do well in appreciating the long-awaited return of the series. All the basic story elements are well in place, with Batiatus dead, the ludus overthrown and Spartacus’rebellion out on the run, and we need only little refreshment going into Spartacus: Vengeance to follow the new tale.Īdditionally, I didn’t want the memory of Andy Whitfield looming over the series any more than the cast and crew did, that despite the tragedy of his loss the show must go on, and Andy had given his blessing for Starz to continue without him. I made a deliberate decision not to rewatch Spartacus: Blood and Sand or even Spartacus: Gods of the Arena before delving into Spartacus: Vengeance, for several reasons.įor one, the amount of time that has elapsed between Vengeance and Blood and Sand because of Andy Whitfield’s tragic illness makes the two series almost incomparable, even without the changes in cast and structure. With all the attention surrounding the show’s second (or technically third) season, fans will be thrilled that Spartacus returns bloodier, and more thrilling than ever. Spartacus: Vengeance rises out of the ashes of Spartacus: Blood and Sand with the long-awaited premiere of “Fugitivus,” as newcomer Liam McIntyre takes over the title role of the newly-freed Thracian gladiator leading a slave rebellion against the hordes of Rome.

Spartacus vengeance