Todd Lasance and Simon Merrells have been cast as Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus, respectively, for season three of the Starz Original series, Spartacus.
Gaius Julius Caesar is described as being, “a handsome young rogue from an esteemed lineage. His deadly intelligence and skill with a sword will be brought to bear against the rebellion. And Caesar will begin his ascent towards the all-powerful ruler he will one day become.”
The Marcus Licinius Crassus description, meanwhile, reads, “The richest man in the Roman Republic. Envied and despised by the highborn among the senate, he craves the power and respect that defeating Spartacus and his rebel army would bring.”
Lasance is known for his role as Ben McMahon in the Australian legal drama Crownies” as well as the role of Quick Lamb in the critically acclaimed TV miniseries “Cloudstreet.” He is last seen starring opposite Grant Bowler in the telemovie “The Great Mint Swindle.”
Merrells played DO Griggs in the UK drama Londons Burning, had a recurring role in the BBC crime drama Mersey Beat, and was also seen on Family Affair and Doctors. He was last seen on the big screen alongside Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins in the Universal Pictures thriller, The Wolfman.
Both actors join Liam McIntyre (Neighbours, The Pacific) who stars as the title role of Spartacus.
Spartacus is executive produced by Rob Tapert (The Grudge, Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), Steven S. DeKnight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Evil Dead), and Joshua Donen (The Quick and the Dead). This same conceptual creative team also produced the first three installments of the series: season one, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, and season two, Spartacus: Vengeance.
