From ToroMagazine.com:
As the men of Spartacus waged war all around her, Katrina Law's character – slave girl Mira – was largely mute. That's going to change as the series begins its third, well second, season with Spartacus: Vengeance.
After the erotic and bloody gladiator series debuted in 2010, the health issues of lead actor Andy Whitfield forced creators to redouble with prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena last year. It was a decision made with Whitfield’s blessing and intended to give him time to heal. Sadly, Whitfield passed away last September from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma so Liam McIntyre, who took on the role in Gods returns as Spartacus.
This season picks up where we left off in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, following the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus, gladiators and slaves alike continuing the battle for freedom, events which have opened up all kinds of avenues for Mira.
"She was a house slave without hopes, dreams or opportunities," says Law. "So along comes Spartacus, who presents her with an opportunity for, potentially, love and freedom. And this year, you're going to see her on the run with the rest of the rebels."
That meant some pretty intense physical preparation for Law, an exotic beauty who grew up in South Jersey with a love of action. In fact, she grew up watching Lucy Lawless, now a co-star on the series, in Xena: Warrior Princess and counts her among her early role models.
"Watching all the boys have fun and get to play, while I stood there until I got to pour them water or wine, I was jealous," Law confides about season one. "So this year, to be able to run around and hit the ground and get bloody along with everyone else, it was a lot more fun."
Not to mention a lot of work. Law trained for two-and-half months with noted trainer and fitness model Anca Marcus before reporting for gladiator training – a two-week marathon that involved, among other things, rolling 300-pound tractor tires, something called the Circle of Death, heavy duty circuit work, weapons training and fight choreography.
"I was in relatively good shape and I then get down there and we did two weeks of Gladiator Boot Camp and let me tell you, it took about six days before I could walk normally again after that," says Law.
It was definitely worth it – even as the only woman in the boot camp. In addition to unleashing her inner tomboy, it gave her a chance to follow in the footsteps of her father, by learning to shoot a bow and arrow.
"Somewhere along the line this season, Mira picks it up and learns how to use it and she gets pretty good with it," says Law.
"Whether or not she's using it for good and evil, that's to be determined."
We’ll just have to tune in to find out.
