Following on from the success of both Blood and Sand and prequel Gods of the Arena, Spartacus returns to Sky 1 with the highly anticipated sequel series Vengeance.

Australian actor Liam McIntyre (The Pacific) has stepped into the title role, following the death of actor Andy Whitfield last year, whilst Lucy Lawless (Xena) returns as Lucretia to remind viewers that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Picking up where Blood and Sand left off, on the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus, Vengeance joins the gladiator rebellion as it gains momentum, striking fear into the heart of the Roman Republic.

Episode 1 airs at 10pm on Monday 30th January on Sky1. To whet your appetite, here are ten teasing lines of dialogue from the episode…

» ‘The crowd demand spectacle! They must be distracted lest the city fall to ill temper and panic.’

» ‘You are his mother. Years would not lessen such a bond. It will burst as sun through clouds at the sight of you.’

» ‘You had me at whores.’

» ‘There is life in you yet. Speak, and see it ended quickly.’

» ‘We knew this day would come. Some have feared its approach. Others have longed for it.’

» ‘There is but one place for an animal without honour.’

» ‘This is a sign. A sign from the Gods. Life blossoms in the House of Batiatus.’

» ‘We need a leader! Not some angry boy who can barely piss without splashing everyone about him.’

» ‘Do not let your vengeance claim so many you have saved from bondage.’

» ‘We must stand as one… or fall divided.’

> Buy the Spartacus: Blood and Sand DVD boxset on Amazon.

Are you looking forward to Spartacus: Vengeance? Let us know below…