Lucy Lawless Interview On 'Spartacus,' Nudity, Her Merkin, Xena

Lucy Lawless played the almighty Xena, in what was an international success as a fantasy television series Xena: Warrior Princess. Now, Lawless is having fun in and out of her clothes on Starz' hit Spartacus.

Born in New Zealand, Lawless first became interetsed in acting when she starred in a grade school musical at the age of ten. She initially had wanted to become a singer as well, even studying opera. Lawless made her first television appearance in the New Zealand television series Funny Business. In 1994, she appeared as an Amazon woman in Hercules and the Amazon Women, a role which would eventually turn into her character Xena.

These days, Lawless is getting fit for her role in Spartacus. “My character is not supposed to be ripped," she told Uinterview exclusively. "It’s ancient Rome. It’s not like they were popping off to the gym every two seconds. I must admit, I have beefed up my exercise routine in the interim.”