British actress Jaime Murray has joined the cast of Starz’s “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” a new six-part prequel series to the network’s runaway hit “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.” Murray will play Capua socialite Gaia, a friend to Lucretia, wife of scheming ludus owner Batiatus.

Murray is best known for her turn as psychotic arsonist Lila Tournay in season two of the Showtime serial-killer drama “Dexter.” The 32-year-old actress currently plays “the real” H.G. Wells on the Syfy network’s quirky “X-Files” meets Raiders of the Lost Ark series “Warehouse 13.”

“Gods of the Arena” follows the House of Batiatus as it struggles to make a name for itself pre-Spartacus. Australian actor Dustin Clare headlines the series as gladiator champion Gannicus. John Hannah and Lucy Lawless reprise their “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” roles as sinister spouses Batiatus and Lucretia.

Also returning are Peter Mensah and Manu Bennett as gladiators Doctore and Crixus, respectively. Andy Whitfield, who plays Spartacus on the original series, will also make an appearance on the new show.

“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” will begin shooting next month in New Zealand and premiere on Starz in January. The second season of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” goes into production later this year.

Those attending Comic-Con this week can see Lawless, Whitfield, Hannah, and Viva Bianca at the “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” panel on July 23.