What The Cast Of Spartacus Is Doing Today

By the time the brutal and highly-stylized historical fiction series "Spartacus" premiered on Starz in 2010, the resurgence of the old sword-and-sandal genre was in full swing, largely thanks to Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" a decade before. While the HBO series "Rome" was also filled with scenes of sex and graphic violence, "Spartacus" took even more liberties with the facts to create a gory spectacle that many viewers found very entertaining, but which was a far cry from a documentary.

The show lasted four seasons, telling the story of one of the greatest rebel leaders in history and his many Roman foes. Not only does "Spartacus" cover a dark time in the past with the tragic deaths of many characters occurring on screen, but tragedy also struck behind the scenes when the show's star, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away after Season 1.

The cast and crew did what they could and even released a prequel season, "Gods of the Arena," in the hope that Whitfield would be able to return. But when it became clear that would not happen, the production continued with a new lead, Liam McIntyre, to finish the saga of the famous Thracian freedom fighter. "Spartacus" was a major success for its many actors, leading to consistent work and all sorts of interesting projects up to this day. Here's what the cast of the popular show is up to now.

Expectations were high for Liam McIntyre when he stepped in to replace Andy Whitfield as the eponymous main character of "Spartacus," but he did quite well in the role. While certainly different from Whitfield's interpretation of the character, McIntyre's version led Spartacus through the rapid evolution from a gladiator slave into a commander of freedom fighters. To this day, the part is still one of McIntyre's most famous roles.

In the years since his starring tenure on the show, McIntyre has been quite busy, both in his career and with his family. He's appeared in major TV shows like "Them" and "The Flash" and done a fair bit of voice acting work, including in the animated series "Star Wars Resistance" and the "Gears of War" video game series, in which he voices protagonist JD Fenix. McIntyre plays Dr. Russell in the 2022 short drama film, "Bully" and will appear in the sci-fi action sequel "Occupation Rainfall: Chapter 2." In June, he and his wife Erin announced on social media that they are expecting their second child.

Lucy Lawless' Lucretia is one of the best early villains of "Spartacus," revealed to be even more vile in the prequel season "Gods of the Arena." Her unexpected return in the Season 2 was a welcome surprise to the many fans of the talented actress and her portrayal of the ruthless Roman aristocrat.

Since her days as the eponymous mythical heroine in "Xena: Warrior Princess," Lawless has been a major player in both TV and film, with today being no different. She's had prominent roles in major series since "Spartacus," such as "The Code," "Salem," and "Ash vs. Evil dead," in which she plays Ruby Knowby. Currently, Lawless stars as Alexa Crowe in the series "My Life is Murder." In the comedy-drama, Crowe is a highly effective private investigator, but she also has to deal with common everyday problems just like everybody else. Along with the show, Lawless recently had another comedic role as the voice of Nun-Chuck for the animated film "Minions: The Rise of Gru."

Even though the character didn't last long on "Spartacus," John Hannah's cruelly ambitious lanista, Batiatus, is a superb early antagonist in the series. There are many times when viewers can feel sympathy for the character's plights, but those sentiments are quickly dashed upon discovering how truly manipulative and evil Batiatus is as the owner of the gladiator school that houses Spartacus.

Like the actors who plays Batiatus' villainous wife, Lucy Lawless, Hannah has appeared in many shows and movies, with one his most memorable roles being Jonathan Carnahan in the "Mummy" films. Hannah remains incredibly active on screen to this day starring as Dr. Jed Bishop in the series "Transplant." Dr. Bishop plays a critical role in the story as the physician who helps the main character, Bashir Hamed, reach his true potential. Along with this major TV part, the actor has also appeared series like "The Victim," "Trust Me," and "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency."

Crixus, the initial rival and then dependable ally of the lead character in "Spartacus," is portrayed in a powerful way by Manu Bennett. In a show with tragic endings for most of the central characters, Crixus also meets a grim fate, but Bennett has a fantastic run up until that point.

Bennett is clearly very proud of his recent work, as he posted on Instagram that he considers his role in the 2022 film "Muru" as one of the most important of his career. The film tells the story of the controversial terror raids carried out by armed, masked New Zealand police in 2007. The actor admitted that he was initially hesitant to take on the role of the oppressor, but after a heart-to-heart with the lead star, Cliff Curtis, he was convinced to take the part. He told the Otago Daily Times, "They say a hero is only as strong as their villain, or a protagonist is only as strong as the antagonist. You have to bring that energy out, and that's my job as an actor."

In addition to his more recent work, Bennett has had a lot of major credits in the years since "Spartacus" came to an end. He's perhaps best known now for playing Slade Wilson, AKA Deathstroke, in the CW series "Arrow," and for playing Azog in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" trilogy.

As the stern and stoic doctore Oenomaus, Peter Mensah is a formidable presence in "Spartacus." Oenomaus is a critical character not just for training Spartacus and the other gladiators into highly effective fighters, but also for becoming a key part of the revolt against the Roman oppressors in the war for freedom.

Mensah has often featured in shows and movies with high levels of tension and action throughout his career, and that trend continues to this day. The actor is set to star as Governor Gaddo in the thriller "Rise," a harrowing tale about a Nigerian princess' desperate mission to save her sister from the clutches of Boko Haram militants. Similarly, in terms of heart-pounding performances, Mensah also has roles in the 2022 horror films "Hypochondriac" and "The Devil Conspiracy." He also plays Blind Master in the 2021 "G.I. Joe" film "Snake Eyes."

Of course, Mensah has also continued to feature on the small screen since "Spartacus." "Sleepy Hollow," "Midnight, Texas," "Departure," and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." are just some of his more notable credits on TV, with Mensah playing the villainous Qovas in the Marvel series.

Daniel Feuerriegel plays Agron in "Spartacus," one of the most trusted lieutenants of the titular rebel leader in his showdown with the Roman forces. Even though the character witnesses the heartbreaking murder of his brother Duro early on at the hands of a Roman guard, Agron is one of the few freedom fighters who survives all the way to the end of the series with his lover Nasir, played by Pana Hema Taylor.

Years later in the real world, Feuerriegel became a major part of the soap opera "Days of Our Lives," taking on the role of EJ DiMera. In 2022, the actor also appeared in the film, "Heidi: Queen of the Mountain" and the short work "Saloon," along with "Serpentine" and "Son of the Dawn." 

Outside of films and TV, Feuerriegel has been busy publishing his own graphic novel, "Fractured Shards." The writer has thoroughly enjoyed the experience, telling TV Insider, "It's been an absolute blast. It's been phenomenal. You pitch the story, you write it, and then you see the artist and colorist do their things. Stephen Kok helped with the writing. It's such a fun collaborative effort."

To say that Nick E. Tarabay's character, Ashur, is sneaky in "Spartacus" would certainly be an understatement. First as a slave and then as the willing servant of Glaber and the Romans, Ashur does whatever it takes to survive, which includes stabbing anyone in the back who gets in his way. Yet in the end, the traitor gets the fate he deserves, slain by Naevia for the horrible crimes he committed against her.

Following the end of the Starz series, Tarabay has been featured in several TV shows and films. The actor had a prominent role in the sci-fi series "The Expanse" as Cotyar, in addition to smaller roles in series like "Arrow," "Taken," and "Motherland: Fort Salem." More recently, the actor has appeared in shows like "The Cleaning Lady" in 2022, as well as taking on the recurring part of Eclipso in the DC series "Stargirl." Tarabay's voice can also be heard in video games like "Anthem," "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare," and "The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes."

The whole "Spartacus" saga begins when the titular hero is forcefully separated from his lover, Sura. The tragic romance meant that it wouldn't be easy for Katrina Law to enter the picture as the new woman in Spartacus' life, the warrior Mira. Throughout the series, Mira becomes much more than simply the protagonist's lover, playing a pivotal role and giving valuable support to the revolt leader as they battle against their enemies.

Following her work on the Starz action drama and up until the present, Law has had a prolific career in film, but even more so on TV. Her most famous role in recent years is likely that of special agent Jessica Knight in "NCIS" and "NCIS: Hawai'i," but she's also had other major parts like Karen Beach in the thriller series "The Oath" and the formidable Nyssa al Ghul in  DC's "Arrow." She also played Rebecca Lee in the TV adaptation of "Training Day."

Although the reasons for the replacements were very different, Liam McIntyre wasn't the only actor to take the place of a former "Spartacus" cast member, as Cynthia Addai-Robinson stepped in for Lesley-Ann Brandt to play Naevia for the "Vengeance" season in 2012. Naevia endured horrific treatment as a slave in the mines, and her transformation into a fearless warrior is portrayed in a fierce performance by Addai-Robinson.

Addai-Robinson's biggest recent role is probably that of Queen Regent Míriel in Amazon's massive production "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." When describing the part to Men's Journal, she said, "It's complicated. A Regent Queen is not fully in power yet. Essentially, I'm trying to lead my people and decide which direction this society is going to take. It's a fork-in-the-road moment." Addai-Robinson's other prominent roles include Nadine Memphis in the TV adaptation of "Shooter," Ramona Garrity in the acclaimed crime saga "Power," and Suicide Squad mastermind Amanda Waller in the Arrowverse.

As Ilithyia, Viva Bianca has a fascinating role in "Spartacus" — not just as the wife of the hero's arch nemesis Glaber, but also, through trickery, as the possible mother of Spartacus' child as well. Whether that last bit is true or not, the controversial infant eventually leads to the Roman noblewoman's downfall.

Bianca has appeared in several productions after "Spartacus," like the popular 2015 holiday film "A Prince for Christmas," but she hasn't done much acting in more recent years. Instead, she's been working more as a producer and directing, creating work like the climate crisis documentary "Generation GND." In September of 2022, the actor posted on Instagram that she and her family finally settled in a new home after spending a good amount of time moving around. She said, "In the last 2.5 years we moved 6 times! Yep you read that right. We have moved 6 times since Feb 2022–across oceans and state lines. That's a lot for anyone but especially a lot when you have little people in tow."

Craig Parker's "Spartacus" character, Roman commander Gaius Claudius Glaber, quickly becomes the hated nemesis of the titular hero in the beginning of his turbulent saga. Whereas Spartacus' other early enemy, Batiatus, pretends to be on his side, Glaber acts with arrogance and contempt towards the Thracian even when reaching out to fight alongside his people as a military ally. After Glaber causes Spartacus to lose everything, including his freedom and his wife, Sura, the rebel leader scores a major victory in his war against the Romans when he finally gets revenge in the aptly titled "Vengeance" season.

Following "Spartacus," Parker has appeared in minor roles in many different TV series, with one of the most recent being that of Yuri in the romantic dramedy "Good Trouble." He also plays Alastair Caine in the 2018 revival of "Charmed," but his biggest roles since "Spartacus" are probably Stéphane Narcisse in the historical drama "Reign" and Guy Warner in the New Zealand soap opera "Shortland Street." The actor also stars in the upcoming thriller "A Social Contract" alongside "Lord of the Rings" cast member Sean Astin.

When the status of "Spartacus" was uncertain due to the health concerns of lead star Andy Whitfield, Dustin Clare stepped in to become the main character, Gannicus, in the prequel season "Gods of the Arena." Gannicus was popular enough to return in later seasons and join the revolt, using the legendary fighting skills he acquired as a gladiator to devastating effect against the Roman legionaries.

Clare has been a TV star for some time and continues to feature in many different productions to this day. Most recently, the actor played a major part in the series "Surviving Summer" as Thommo Gibson, the father of the main character, Ari. The family drama tells the story of how the lives of Ari and American teen Summer Torres change dramatically when she comes to live in his small town of Shorehaven, Australia. Along with this TV role, Clare recently played George Michael in the 2022 drama film "Seriously Red."

Ellen Hollman plays the formidable warrior Saxa in "Spartacus," who joins the slave revolt once she's freed in the "Vengeance" season. As part of the rebel forces, Saxa fights valiantly and eventually forms a complicated yet strong bond with Gannicus, making it all the more painful for the ex-gladiator when she tragically dies in his arms during a battle with the Romans.

Hollman's character may have met a tragic end on "Spartacus," but the part was the beginning of a more substantial career in both TV and film for the actor. She's earned credits on a number of major shows since "Spartacus," including "Lethal Weapon," "Into the Badlands," "NCIS," and "NCIS: New Orleans," in which she plays the role of Amelia Parsons. Hollman recently appeared in "The Matrix Resurrections," making her mark on the sci-fi franchise as the character Echo. She also has recent parts in the short films "Margaret" and "Bruised, Not Broken."

Nasir, played by Pana Hema Taylor, is a later addition to the rebel cause in "Spartacus," joining the series during "Vengeance," but he quickly becomes one of its most ardent supporters. Initially, Nasir has no idea how to fight and even opposes Spartacus. However, the commander chooses to train him and convinces the freed slave to join the cause. From then on, Nasir is extremely devoted to the war for freedom and is rewarded by the gods for that devotion by getting to live his remaining days with his lover, Agron.

Hema Taylor has mostly worked on projects in his native New Zealand since the end of "Spartacus." He's had major roles in series like "Dirty Laundry," "The Gulf," and "The Brokenwood Mysteries." His most notable role since Nasir may be that of Bert Thompson in "Westside," having appeared in 49 episodes of the New Zealand series since 2015.