Starz has rounded out the cast for SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Dustin Clare has been cast in the lead role as Gannicus, the House of Batiatus' top gladiator. Jaime Murray (DEXTER) will play a social climber and Marisa Ramirez (GENERAL HOSPITAL) a slave girl. Additionally, SPARTACUS star Andy Whitfield, who has been battling cancer, has been give the go ahead from doctors to take a small role in the new series.

In the prequel series, the House of Batiatus is fighting for the respect to compete in gladiator championships.

The show begins production next month and the first of its six episodes will begin airing in January.

SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND's season 2 will start filming following the wrap of GODS. That series will return to the air sometime in 2011.