The epic Spartacus finale brought the expected bloodshed, but also tears.
"Everybody was a big puddle," Spartacus creator Steven DeKnight tells TVGuide.com. "I still can't watch the finale without tearing up. ... But yeah, it's very emotional, not only because of the story, but also the whole experience."
Spartacus' Manu Bennett on Crixus' downfall
That experience involved two actors playing the titular hero. Original star Andy Whitfield bowed out after the first season to treat his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. And although he made an uncredited voice appearance during the six-part prequel series Gods of the Arena, newcomer Liam McIntyre stepped in to portray the Thracian gladiator-turned-freedom fighter for the final two seasons.
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Get ready to hear "I am Spartacus!" one last time.
It has only been three years since Spartacus splashed its bloody way across Starz, and Friday's epic series finale (9/8c) will conclude the legendary rebel leader's quest to free the slaves of Ancient Rome. And although history spoils the ultimate outcome, it is how each character has lived — and in some cases, died — that is the key to the show's appeal.
Spartacus' Manu Bennett on Crixus' downfall
Death is a complex thing on the series. Although there's no denying that it can be gloriously gory and over-the-top, at the same time, it is closely tied to the underlying theme of freedom. Slavery or death? That's the choice that masters force upon their slaves sent into the gladiators' arena and on the flip side, the choice fugitives make when they escape to join Spartacus.
Who will live? Who will die? Who will send men to their deaths? Check out this preview of the final Spartacus: War of the Damned and then continue reading for the cast's thoughts on killing or being killed on the series:
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With Spartacus' latest episode comes a sense of dread because that means there's only one episode left before the end.
[Warning: The following contains spoilers from the penultimate episode of Spartacus: War of the Damned. You've been warned!]
Spartacus' Manu Bennett on Crixus' downfall
On Friday's Spartacus, the rebels celebrated quite a few triumphs, which was swell for them since, of course, history dictates a huge defeat on the horizon. Enjoy it while you can!
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[Warning: The following contains spoilers from the most recent Spartacus episode.]
The Undefeated Gaul finally fulfilled his destiny.
On Friday's Spartacus: War of the Damned, the rebel forces parted ways... permanently. Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) led the fugitives north toward the Alps and the promise of freedom, while Crixus (Manu Bennett) took his group westward towards Rome and ultimately, to their death. And although Crixus' defeat was disheartening, it was to be expected. "Well, historically, it was going to be the case anyway," Bennett tells TVGuide.com. "Anyone who went onto Wikipedia knew."
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[Spoiler alert: If you haven't watched Spartacus yet, don't read further or you might end up used as trench filler!]
We hope the cold winter gave Crassus an appetite because on Friday's Spartacus: War of the Damned, he tasted both defeat and betrayal.
Crassus (Simon Merrells) had the upper hand in his war with Spartacus (Liam McIntyre). Not only were the rebels stuck out in the wintry wilds and kept from attacking by a large trench that was guarded by a manned wall, but they fell into one of Crassus' traps and barely escaped alive...
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