[Speedymanic]

Spartacus will leave behind a legacy of having stretched the boundaries of series television, between expanding the use of green-screen technology (the show has never shot one frame outdoors) and proving hard-R sex and violence can draw an audience when mixed with compelling storytelling. There was, and remains, nothing quite like the show on TV.

Holy crap. I thought most of the scenes in season 2 were filmed in the woods. O_O

reaction to cancelation:

Not cancelled, but I agree with the general sentiment. Should have given it at least two more seasons. :(

[Hari Seldon]

Hopefully they can roll up another Roman Style show. I love the Roman setting, it is perfect for premium TV channels with all of the politics and sex and violence.

[Kinyou]

The same could be said of most American TV shows. I always think they end up bloated, over-long works lacking in arc pacing. That this has a definitive end in mind now makes me want to give the show another chance, especially given there's only 13 or 10 episodes per season, too.

Though Spartacus seemed kind of good at it. I mean they even added a prequel season (gods of the arena) out of desperation, and that was one of the best seasons of the show.

[dead souls]

I like the show, but I'm fine with it ending. Better to go out while it's still decent. More shows need to end this early.

[Suairyu]

Hopefully they can roll up another Roman Style show. I love the Roman setting, it is perfect for premium TV channels with all of the politics and sex and violence.

Rome happened, friend. Nothing else will ever be good enough for me.

[Vlad]

This news definitely bumps the show up my "To watch" list. Always nice to start a show that has ended already. I was seriously surprised about the positive reaction this show got, because when you look at it it's so easy to assume it's absolutely nothing special.

Keep in mind that if you do watch it, the first episode is easily the worst of the series, and the quality really does increase a great deal as the show goes on. It's fun to read the thread for the first season here, as everybody was all "ehh, it's like some cheesy 300 knockoff" when the first season aired, but they were all completely into the show a few episodes in.

[Moaradin]

Though Spartacus seemed kind of good at it. I mean they even added a prequel season (gods of the arena) out of desperation, and that was one of the best seasons of the show.

I am still impressed how Gods of the Arena turned out. It was a 6 episode mini-series with a lot crammed into it, yet it still felt complete.

[jett]

I'm surprised they're ending it, it feels like it has at least two more seasons in it. :| More surprised Starz agreed to this, considering it's their only hit. Are they giving up on original programming?

[RatskyWatsky]

Fuck.

I guess it's better to go out on top, and with a clear final arc in mind, than to stretch it out forever with an ultimately unsatisfying ending.

But it's the only hit Starz has right now. Boss got horrible ratings, and probably won't improve that much in season 2. Magic City did alright, but again, probably won't improve that much in its second season. They better pray their upcoming series catch on. This is a huge loss for Starz.

Are they giving up on original programming?

No they have a bunch of new shows in the pipeline: Marco Polo, Da Vinci's Demons, Noir, etc. and they all sound fairly promising.

[AndyMoogle]

I like the show, but I'm fine with it ending. Better to go out while it's still decent. More shows need to end this early.

Definitely. Most American shows go on for way too long and end up being cancelled or just turn into shit.

We need more miniseries on TV and less 20+ episodes per season shows.

[Chairman Yang]

I loved the first two seasons, but the latest season basically sucked, probably because of the departure of some key writers. Unless they somehow get back those original writers, I'm glad the show is going to be done.

[Speedymanic]

No they have a bunch of new shows in the pipeline: Marco Polo, Da Vinci's Demons, Noir, etc. and they all sound fairly promising.

Magic City also sounded pretty promising, turned out to be anything but.

Hope that was a blip and the rest of their shows will deliver as Spartacus did.

[JdFoX187]

Ending the series so quickly seems like a rather odd decision. When I interviewed DeKnight earlier this year, he said he had goal post ideas mapped out for two seasons at least. So I'm wondering if he wants to move on or if Starz wants to make way for their pirates show to replace Spartacus. Either way, it's a shame. The show is really good and I could see them easily getting an additional two seasons.

[gdt]

Woah! I love that we're at the finish line already. I'd rather have a show end too soon than become a zombie.

But why would Starz agree to this? I'd assumed we'd get 4 seasons of the show.

Whats going on over there?

[Binabik15]

Fine with me, I'll always have GotA and B&S. I didn't care much for Vengeance and wasn't sure I'd continue watching it with S3+ (and I WON'T get it on bluray, ever).

[RatskyWatsky]

Magic City also sounded pretty promising, turned out to be anything but.

It also wasn't bad though; just mediocre. Plus, all of their new series sound more action oriented, which seems a little more on brand to me than something like Magic City or Boss.

[Cornballer]

- Brief interview with Steven DeKnight about today's news and "War of the Damned" (youtube)

[Joni]

What an idiot move. Hope they replace it with a spin-off when Caesar attacks Gaul.

[3N16MA]

Just saw the news and it sucks. At least they can make sure there is closure to the series knowing it will be the last season.

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Damn, makes sense I guess.

[BattleMonkey]

Woah! I love that we're at the finish line already. I'd rather have a show end too soon than become a zombie. But why would Starz agree to this? I'd assumed we'd get 4 seasons of the show. Whats going on over there?

Costs of shows generally go up each season. While the ratings were good early on, perhaps they plateaud and they feel like it's not going to grow much more.

[Decado]

Whoa! I'm not sure what to think of this. Has the series simply run its course, or is it being cancelled? If it is it the former, that's too bad, but understandable. If it's the latter, that sucks :( I want to see more series' like this one. Incredible entertainment.

I thought this series was a huge success for STARZ. Also...the rest of their original programming hasn't exactly taken off (though I'm starting to get into Magic City).

[Brian Griffin]

I read the title and went all WTF?! but as a show following documented history it's really the only option unless they want to drag it out and have it turn into crap. Better to end on an awesome high then dwindle away slowly.

I also didn't know the green screen thing either! :O

I figured a lot of the backgrounds were CG but ALL OF THEM!? Bravo.

They should bring back Party Down.

As much as I love the thought of more Party Down, I hope there never is any. I don't think they could ever capture the magic again and it would be disappointing. As it stands now those 2 seasons are some of the best and funniest TV I've ever seen.

[Imm0rt4l]

Damn....:/

[Burger]

Never shot a single scene outdoors???

That is amazing, I would never have known had I not been told. Incredible. I guess they must shoot in New Zealand purely for the tax breaks.

[TheJollyCorner]

reaction to cancelation:

man...

(S2 spoiler) Going to really miss the hell out of Asher :(

[SuperMalo]

NO NO NO!

I wanted at least a couple more seasons :(

[Gunloc]

I thought they'd do at least one more after the upcoming season. :/

Oh well, at least it will go out on top. I sure will miss it though.

Whoa! I'm not sure what to think of this. Has the series simply run its course, or is it being cancelled? If it is it the former, that's too bad, but understandable. If it's the latter, that sucks :( I want to see more series' like this one. Incredible entertainment. I thought this series was a huge success for STARZ. Also...the rest of their original programming hasn't exactly taken off (though I'm starting to get into Magic City).

This show is a huge hit for Starz, it's their flagship program. I highly doubt it was cancelled. (Probably quite the contrary. I bet the Starz execs would love for the show to continue on.)

Most likely the creators feel that the show can't be stretched out indefinitely without affecting the quality, which is understandable considering that it's based on historical events.

[TheExodu5]

Season 2 wasn't very good. Ilythia and Ashur were the only really good characters this season, and now they're gone.

The new Spartacus is boring. Naevia is god awful. Crixus is a mopey mess.

My hopes for Season 3 are incredibly low.

[TheJollyCorner]

Season 2 wasn't very good. Ilythia and Ashur were the only really good characters this season, and now they're gone. The new Spartacus is boring. Naevia is god awful. Crixus is a mopey mess. My hopes for Season 3 are incredibly low.

Kind of feel the same way.

No disrespect to Liam... he did a commendable job considering the circumstances, but the show really took a dive for me with the loss of Andy and the obvious lack of S1's strongest character- Batiatus (sp?).

S2 was still entertaining, but it just felt like the heart had been ripped out.

I'll be there every night of S3, but now it's the Gannicus show for me. Gannicus was far and away the most compelling character on the slave side. I'd also like to see Crixus step up in S3. New characters are pretty critical this final season, because the lack of Ilythia, Lucrecia, Doctore, and especially Ashur will be huge.

[Gunloc]

As long as I get some solid Nasir/Agron action, I'll be happy.

[Cornballer]

One more take and Q&A with DeKnight from The Hollywood Reporter:
- Starz Ending 'Spartacus' After Third Season

EDIT:

- IGN: Next Spartacus Season, War of the Damned, Will End the Series

[markatisu]

It's not like the Spartacus story can be stretched a lot...

Exactly this, he only did so much in real life. I say make one hell of a final season and be done with the story.

I would rather have them end it while doing great then ruin what Andy Whitfield helped build before he passed away.

[Cornballer]

- Short 30 sec teaser vid for next season (youtube)

Teaser image:

[Discotheque]

Wow, who would have thought Starz of all channels would end something on a high-note instead of dragging it?

It's sad to hear it's ending so soon, but great news regardless. They really couldn't drag the story out too long.

[params7]

This sucks. Spartacus S1 Finale was THE best finale I've seen on TV. And I've seen a lot of shows (Lost, PB, GoT, etc). Even S2 ended up being decent even without Andy thanks to Gannicus/Dustin Clare.

Oh well, going to enjoy the hell out of S3. Should be amazing.

[Grimm Fandango]

This better be a damn awesome season or I won't forgive them.

[3N16MA]

S2 was not as good as S1 or the prequel. Batiatus was the main factor for that but I still thought S2 was entertaining.

[Lone_Prodigy]

- Short 30 sec teaser vid for next season (youtube) Teaser image:

January 2013 A.D.

[Forceatowulf]

Oh wow.. fuck man.. I was absolutely expecting at least 2 more seasons. Damn.

I loved watching S1 and S2 so much. Such a great show. =(

reaction to cancelation:

Perfect.

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

- Short 30 sec teaser vid for next season (youtube) Teaser image:

That horse has a Sylvester Stallone expression on its face.......

[RJT]

The same could be said of most American TV shows. I always think they end up bloated, over-long works lacking in arc pacing. That this has a definitive end in mind now makes me want to give the show another chance, especially given there's only 13 or 10 episodes per season, too.

Not all shows are based on a real historical figure...

Season 3 has Crassus and Julius Caeser. Could be one hell of a season.

[gcubed]

i just couldn't get back into it after losing the original Spartacus and the long layoff.

[demented]

I guess it's better this way then to stretch it and make it boring for long time but it's an awesome show and will be missed, badly :(

[LuchaShaq]

why......

Because

A. Almost everyone I knew that liked season 1 watched it on netflix and wasn't going to get Starz for one show.

B. The few who had/would get starz were so put off by Andy's replacement in the first episode they bailed (me). I'm sorry but to replace Andy with a guy who doesn't even look like he could do 20 pushups let alone be a gladiator/amazing fighter is a bit of a joke. The entire time he was on screen the first episode I was cringing or laughing.

[Idde]

I'm not to bummed. GotA and BaS were pure adrenaline pumping action, with thought out scheming, and likable and bad ass actors. Vengeance (mostly) fell flat, on all those accounts. I know I'm in the minority. But unless War of the Damned goes back to the quality of the first two seasons...meh.

[Andrex]

Glad they're ending it, even though I wish it could go on forever. They're also running out of my favorite characters to kill, especially after Ashur's death in the S2 finale.

I hope the ending is satisfying but I'm not expecting it to be considering history, one of the (minor) complaints I had with 300 (among a very long list, of course.) Then again that type of ending might be good, considering I liked Angel's ending. Note: I haven't actually looked into the history that much since I don't want to be "spoiled," in any way. I just know it can't really end too triumphantly since I never read that Rome fell by way of ex-slaves in my history books in school.

[jett]

Glad they're ending it, even though I wish it could go on forever. They're also running out of my favorite characters to kill, especially after Ashur's death in the S2 finale. I hope the ending is satisfying but I'm not expecting it to be considering history, one of the (minor) complaints I had with 300 (among a very long list, of course.) Then again that type of ending might be good, considering I liked Angel's ending. Note: I haven't actually looked into the history that much since I don't want to be "spoiled," in any way. I just know it can't really end too triumphantly since I never read that Rome fell by way of ex-slaves in my history books in school.

Aren't you familair with the whole "No, I am Spartacus!" thing? That should clue anyone in in how the revolt ends.

[Ripclawe]

Gonna miss HBK jr...

""There's only one way to become champion. Never fucking lose." -Gannicus"




BOSS!

[soundahfekz]

fuck this shit. This is my show!