BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Okay, so we all knew Lucy Lawless was taking part in the prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand, titled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

But executive producer/creator/writer Steven S. DeKnight cracked up the room at the Television Critics Association tour when he was asked “what the hell he was thinking” regarding the fate of Lawless’ character at the end of the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

“I was thinking she was still twitching at the end of Season 1, if you look,” DeKnight said. In other words, Lawless, who plays Lucretia Batiatus, also will be part of the second season of the sexy and savage Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

“Now, John Hannah (who plays Lentulus Batiatus) is a little harder to bring back, obviously,” said DeKnight, prompting more laughter. “But we’re thrilled that Lucy will be back in Season 2. Where the story goes with her is really something special. I’m very excited about that.”

The second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand and the prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, both of which originate on the cable network Starz in the United States, will air in Canada on The Movie Network and Movie Central.