Brace yourselves for more gore in the arena, gladiator groupies.
Starz has given its series "Spartacus" a go-ahead for a third season, the pay cable network announced Monday.
The greenlight comes months ahead of the Jan. 27, 2012 premiere of "Spartacus: Vengeance," the second season of the "Spartacus" saga.
The as-yet-untitled third season is expected to begin production in New Zealand in early 2012. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” which ran in January 2011, drew an estimated 6.2 million total viewers per episode when all linear channels and on-demand viewing are factored in.
"Spartacus: Vengeance" stars Australian actor Liam McIntyre in the title role, replacing deceased star Andy Whitfield. Executive producer Rob Tapert promises that it will offer "many surprises" for fans.