The co-creator of “Spartacus” has signed a two-year overall deal with Starz, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In what’s said to be the first deal of its kind for Starz, Steven S. DeKnight will continue to run “Spartacus” while also developing new projects.

Said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director of Starz: "Steven is a rare talent who we want to stay in business with."

DeKnight, whose credits also include “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Smallville,” added: "It is a rare, wonderful opportunity to collaborate with an emerging network on forging their identity in scripted programming."

The story notes that DeKnight has had a big role already in helping Starz expand its horizons to compete more directly with HBO with commercial adventure programming such as “Spartacus.”

The story adds: “The strategic shift has paid off: In addition to branding and stateside ratings for the premium cable network, DeKnight’s ‘Spartacus,’ an action-adventure series set in the Roman gladiator era, plays particularly well internationally.”