From Taranaki Daily News - 6 April 2009

His character is a doomed gladiator called Kerza and Hawera-born actor Karl Drinkwater is using him to make it in Hollywood.

Spartacus is the latest mythical action TV show to be filmed in New Zealand, following in the footsteps of the hugely popular Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess productions of the 1990s.

It is loosely based on the story of Spartacus, the Thracian man who supposedly led a slave revolt against the toga-wearing Romans about 100BC.

The production will bring New Zealand's favourite action woman Lucy Lawless back to the screen and this time Drinkwater too, a Taranaki lad now based in Auckland.

For Drinkwater the involvement in the big budget American production is a chance to take his career to the international stage.