Syfy Acquires Rights to Starz Drama 'Spartacus,' Set to Air June 26

In case you missed it the first time around – and then I guess decided not to invest in a DVD/Blu-Ray package or scour the annals of the Internet –  ‘Spartacus’ is returning to television!

As first reported by Deadline, Syfy has acquired U.S. basic cable rights to air all 39 episodes of the Starz series, which includes three seasons and a six-part prequel entitled ‘Gods of the Arena.’

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‘Spartacus’ will premiere on the network on June 26 at 10/9c. It looks to have a strong lead-in, following a pair of Syfy original series in ‘Defiance’ and ‘Dominion,’ both of which will have premiered a week prior.

The network is, of course, banking on the fact that the series, having aired on Starz, was not shown to the widest possible audience. ‘Spartacus’ is inspired by the true story of the slave-turned-gladiator. The title hero was portrayed by British actor Andy Whitfield prior to his death in 2011 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 39. Liam McIntyre took over the title role from Season 2 onwards.

Created by Steven S. DeKnight, the series also stars Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, and Erin Cummings. It ran from January 2010 through April 2013.

The series was in part known for featuring plenty of sex, nudity and violence. Moving to Syfy, it will have to be censored, and it will be interesting to see how that restraint will alter its perception and attraction. There's always 'Game of Thrones.'