video transcript

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL. Take a dash of gladiators, then mix in a bit of romance and you'll get Starz highly anticipated prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena". The story is of the Champion of the House of Batiatus in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival. Actress Lucy Lawless, plays the pivotal role of Lucretia and says the part was a real test of her acting skills. SOUNDBITE: Lucy Lawless, actress, saying (English): "This was the job of my life. Like the acting job that was so challenging, so demanding of me personally." The six-part series is being released on the heels of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," which suffered a major set-back when the show's star, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with cancer. SOUNDBITE: Lucy Lawless, actress, saying (English): "This was really a stop-gap measure to keep the whole thing alive, keep the audience invested while Andy recovered." Starz recently announced Australian actor Liam McIntyre would replace Whitfield for the second season. Although labeled an action-adventure drama, the show is filled with gritty storylines and plenty of sex, which Lawless is still trying to get use to. SOUNDBITE: Lucy Lawless, actress, saying (English): "It never, never, never, never gets easier. You can kind of get use to nakedness, but not sex scenes." And while the show is said to have a huge gay and geek following, Lawless won't let the show get stuffed into any particular box. SOUNDBITE: Lucy Lawless, actress, saying (English): "We're shocked how many women love this and older people. It's basically anybody who likes sex, who has ever enjoyed sex, and who isn't squeamish, likes the show. If you're squeamish by all means don't watch. If you're prudish go to bed early." Alicia Powell, Reuters.