STARZ SIGNS "SPARTACUS" CO-CREATOR STEVEN S. DEKNIGHT TO AN OVERALL DEAL

(September 30, 2011 - Beverly Hills, CA) STARZ has signed "Spartacus" Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner Steven S. DeKnight to an exclusive two-year overall deal. Starz has a three-year relationship with DeKnight, since the 2009 launch of the critically-acclaimed hit action drama series "Spartacus."

"Steven is a rare talent who we want to stay in business with," says Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz. "We are thrilled this incredible creative partnership will continue for years to come."

"The creative support and unparalleled freedom that Chris Albrecht, Carmi Zlotnik, Marta Fernandez and the entire Starz team have given me has been deeply appreciated," says DeKnight. "It is a rare, wonderful opportunity to collaborate with an emerging network on forging their identity in scripted programming. I look forward to continuing this incredibly rewarding relationship. I would also like to thank my producing partners on Spartacus, Rob Tapert, Joshua Donen, and Sam Raimi, for placing their trust in an unproven showrunner. Without them and the tireless efforts of my agents Chris Harbert and Tom Young at CAA, none of this phenomenal good fortune would have been possible."

DeKnight will continue to serve in his current role on "Spartacus" which will premiere its second season in January 2012.

DeKnight is represented by CAA.