TV stations cancel their program in about six weeks in advance, as a video provider can be something more to shoot from the hip: Sun MyVideo announced today that the Spartacus prequel will be launched as early as next Friday as usual.

Fans of "Spartacus" can rejoice: Prior to the television broadcast on ProSieben from 29 June 2012 (Spartacus: Gods of the ProSieben show arena from June) is the prequel to the series, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," in turn are shown in MyVideo. Opening day for the first episode is the 8th June, so by the end of this week - and thanks to the Corpus Christi holiday in some areas of the Federal Republic for many a long weekend. Every week we continue with a new total of six episodes of the prequel.

"Gods of the Arena" takes a look at the history of the gladiator school Batiatus before Spartacus arrived. In particular, it will be the rise of Quintus Batiatus (John Hannah) is shown to the owner of Ludus and the development of the numerous relationships between the characters, who then in "Spartacus".

Actually, the later prequel had been intended as a flashback episode in season two of "Spartacus". As a result of severe cancer of actor Andy Whitfield he created a mini-series - the actor should be enforced by the production of the prequels, the time for treatment and recovery. After positive reports in the meantime, however, Whitfield was at once diagnosed the occurrence of cancer. Whitfield finally retired from the series - the title role was recast with Liam McIntyre - and died a short time later at the age of 39 years (Spartacus: Andy Whitfield died).

Time for action of "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" is Batiatus Titus (Jeffrey Thomas) is still head of the family and not yet widely respected Ludus (the gladiator school). However, already waiting in his shadow, his son Quintus Batiatus (John Hannah), large for his chance: As a father, Titus take a longer trip to Sicily must cure, is the temporary home Quintus ladder.

To achieve its ambitious social and political goals, but must first find Quintus influential friends. One problem: The current champion of his house, Gannicus (Dustin Clare), has fully accepted its existence as galdiator. He lives in the moment, enjoy the benefits that brings him his success - steady supply of women and wine - but why does no good as a folk hero.

Just as someone would need Batiatus to stand out from the main body of the gladiator schools. Especially now, since the completion of a larger arena the gladiator fights in the city lends even more prestige. There are of course already in Capua top dogs to defend their position with all his might against upstarts.

Other characters in the prequel: Quintus' wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless), Gladiator CEnomaus (later Doctore, played by Peter Mensah) and the recently-arrived in the Ludus Crixus (Manu Bennett). As new characters are added: Gaia (Jaime Murray), a woman who tries as Quintus, to create the social advancement of Capua and the slave Melitta (Marisa Ramirez, "Against the Wall"), CEnomaus woman.