‘She Was Gonna Kill’: Lucy Lawless Recalls Orgy Scene Extra On Spartacus Losing It After Someone Stepped On Her Tail

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Prior to “Game of Thrones” becoming known for frequent nudity and spontaneous orgies on cable television, and even before HBO changed its policy regarding explicit content, the show “Spartacus” on Starz held that title. The series, which was known more for what it showed than what it wore, starred Lucy Lawless, whose husband Rob Tapert was one of its producers. On occasion, Lawless’s character was shown without clothes and in proximity to sexually charged scenes. This brings us to an intriguing behind-the-scenes story from Lawless involving the background actors.

Lawless played the cunning and somewhat disloyal Lucretia, wife to John Hannah’s character Batiatus, throughout Seasons 1 (Blood and Sand), 2 (Gods of the Arena, a prequel), and the third arc (Vengeance). During an interview on the Inside of You podcast with host Michael Rosenbaum, she discussed her experience working on the historical epic. Regarding filming nude scenes, she described it as somewhat uncomfortable, but also noted that Spartacus employed well-informed extras for its orgy scenes, explaining:

Instead of saying that, we could rephrase it like this: In this scenario, we’d attract individuals from New Zealand’s adult entertainment hub, providing them with various additional roles. Since they are already accustomed to such activities, we would let them create their own scenes. For instance, if it’s an orgy scene, these women would be dressed in stunning costumes adorned with real peacock feathers and other exotic elements. However, when you have long gowns, there’s a chance someone might accidentally step on another person’s train.

To start, Lucy Lawless’ words in this story appear to be figurative, drawing upon hypothetical scenarios. However, the ominous caution such as “Avoid stepping on the orgy extra’s animal tail” seems rooted in actual experiences. She went on to say:

*Lucy Lawless’ original words:* The beginning of this story seems like Lucy Lawless is speaking metaphorically, using vague hypothetical instances. But such ominous warnings as “Don’t step on the orgy extra’s animal tail” can only be derived from real events. And she continued:

As a movie enthusiast, I recall a scene where someone carelessly stepped on a tiger’s tail, causing her to snap around menacingly, growling ferociously. We exclaimed in surprise, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy there, girl. No harm meant.” We continued, “We’ll just sew it back up. It’s just a movie set; accidents happen.” Yet, she seemed poised to attack, and I pondered, ‘What an intriguing response.’ Then it dawned on me: if someone were to pull out a woman’s expensive real-hair ponytail in the sex trade, that could cost them dearly. She was ready to kill for her hairpiece. The correlation between this film scene and the harsh reality of the sex trade struck me profoundly.

Although it’s uncertain how generously Spartacus’ more passionate co-stars were paid for their screen appearances, it’s reasonable to infer that the compensation was never sufficient to suppress the natural urge for caution and privacy, even on set. After all, accidentally triggering a fake tiger’s tail might not be the same as pulling someone’s hair, but survival instincts don’t make such distinctions.

It’s a relief that reason triumphed, as everyone understood that these costumes could be mended without any real harm or spilled blood. To quote Lawless, “It was determined that the damage could be fixed peacefully.

In my perspective, as a film enthusiast, I can assure you that the narrative takes a compassionate turn, emphasizing understanding and unity. No adversaries lurk in these frames; instead, it’s a realm where everyone coexists peacefully. Fear not, for there is no cause to worry about harm or blame. The focus here is solely on resolution, on mending what’s broken, together.

Lucy Lawless has long been a beloved actress known for her roles that lean towards cult status, particularly since her groundbreaking performance in Xena: Warrior Princess. Over the years, she’s made unforgettable appearances in shows like Battlestar Galactica, Parks and Recreation, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., among others. Most recently, she joined forces with filmmaker Sam Raimi and her husband Rob Tapert once again in the cast of Ash vs. Evil Dead.

In her forthcoming projects, she will appear in the New Zealand drama titled “Pike River,” set to release soon. This movie focuses on the aftermath of the tragic Pike River Mine explosion that occurred in 2010, taking the lives of many. The cast includes Robyn Malcolm from “Black Bird” and Melanie Lynskey from “Yellowjackets.

A fresh take on the “Spartacus” story is coming to Starz, titled “Spartacus: House of Ashur.” The original co-creator Steven S. DeKnight will be back as showrunner and executive producer. Graham McTavish, known for his role in “Outlander,” has been cast alongside newcomers like Tenika Davis, Ivana Baquero, Claudia Black, and more. Nick E. Tarabay, a returning franchise star, will also be part of the series. Although it’s expected to air on the 2025 TV schedule, Lucy Lawless, who previously played a significant role in the series, will not be featured this time around.

Currently, you can watch all previous seasons of “Spartacus” by subscribing to Starz. However, if you’re okay with advertisements, it is among the top shows available for free streaming on Tubi.

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2025-01-27 21:37