Acclaimed Scottish actor John Hannah plays Batiatus, the Roman gladiator owner, in “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” a Starz original action-adventure drama series.

Batiatus buys the warrior Spartacus for his Ludus gladiator training school in the hope that the raw potential he sees in the Thracian will restore his finances and reputation. He shares a passionate marriage with Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) and there is very little he can or will deny her.

Hannah describes Batiatus as a businessman trying to make a living in a world in which slavery exists and there are no moral qualms about killing people for entertainment.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Hannah served his apprenticeship as an electrician before entering the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama at 20. He went on to establish a successful career in television and theater, notable for his breakthrough film role as Matthew in the box office hit romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral. His other memorable film roles include Gwyneth Paltrow’s love interest James in Sliding Doors and the bumbling, drunken thief Jonathan Carnahan in The Mummy and its two sequels, The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. His leading television roles include “McCallum,” “Agatha Christie: Poirot,” “Cold Blood,” “Out of the Blue” and “Rebus,” which he also executive produced. His executive producer credits also include “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” “Quite Ugly One Morning” and “Afterlife.”

Hannah and his wife, actress Joanna Roth, are parents of young twins Gabriel and Astrid.