Starz plans to air a six-part prequel to "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" in January, with the original series’ star, who is undergoing cancer treatment, making a brief appearance, the Hollywood Reporter reports. 

Lucy Lawless will return as Lucretia, the wife of Batiatus, played by John Hannah.

The pair will be the focus in the prequel, which will follow the rise of the House of Batiatus before Spartacus.

The second season of "Spartacus" was delayed this year to allow Andy Whitfield, who plays the title character, to undergo treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in New Zealand.

Starz said Whitfield is responding well to the treatment.