Starz Signs Spartacus Co-Creator to Overall Deal

BEVERLY HILLS: Steven S. DeKnight, the co-creator, executive producer and showrunner of Spartacus, has entered into an exclusive two-year overall deal with Starz. 

Stars and DeKnight have had a three-year relationship already. DeKnight will continue to serve in his current role on Spartacus, which launches with a second season in January 2012. 

"Steven is a rare talent who we want to stay in business with," said Carmi Zlotnik, the 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," added 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."