Manu Bennett proudly wears the scars of a warrior in Starz’s ‘Spartacus’
Manu Bennett can act, dance and play classical piano.
He can also wield a trident and subdue an opponent in nasty ways not seen since the heyday of the Roman Coliseum.
Bennett portrays Crixus - the powerful gladiator who hates the titular warrior of Starz’s “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (Fridays at 10 p.m.).
It’s a demanding role, and the 40-year-old Maori has the scars to prove it.
“There is never a fight scene where someone doesn’t get a sword across the knuckles,” Bennett said in a telephone interview from New Zealand, where the show is produced.
“I’ve hit Andy (Whitfield, who plays Spartacus) a couple of times, and he’s gotten me back. I already have a couple of scars from the show where the sword blade found home - notably a cut across my right pec.”
The wound came as Bennett was shooting a scene with one newcomer.
