New SG Interview: Lucy Lawless – Spartacus: Gods of the Arena0

by Fred Topel

Lucy Lawless’s most famous roles have taken her to different eras of history. As Xena in Xena: Warrior Princess, she starred in a comedic interprettion of Greek mythology. Now on TV’s Spartacus, she’s in an ultra-violent depiction of Roman gladiators. Her character, Lucretia, runs a gladiator school with her husband Batiatus (John Hannah).

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a prequel to the Blood and Sand series, currently airing on Starz. The original idea was to do a short series without the title character while actor Andy Whitfield underwent cancer treatment.

Unfortunately, Whitfield’s cancer came back and the series has been forced to move forward with a new star, Liam McIntyre. The prequel is airing to tide viewers over until what was originally intended as season two airs.

Lawless returns as Lucretia. The show is set five years before she and her husband Batiatus start running the gladiator school. In it, a gladiator named Gannicus (Dustin Clare) is positioned as the one that could take them to fortune and glory. Lawless is slated to return for the second season as well.

I may be overthinking Lawless’s role in the portrayal of women in Hollywood. I look at Xena as a strong heroine and an image of alternative beauty. Lawless graciously indulged me but she was modest. I approached her in the hallway of the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, after a Spartacus presentation to the Television Critics Association. She kept insinuating that it was just a job, but I tried to tell her it meant a lot more to us.

Read our exclusive interview with Lucy Lawless on SuicideGirls.com.