Lucy Lawless, who rose to stardom in the series “Xena: Warrior Princess,” is now staring in the new series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” on the cable Movie Network/Movie Central channels. More than 3.3 Million viewers watched the premier which aired on Tuesday.

“This is the most successful premiere in the company’s history. We are very gratified to see that our excitement and faith in the series — already renewed for a second season — has been matched by initial demand,” said, executive vice president of programming for Starz Entertainment Stephan Shelanski.

When asked how this new series compares to “Xena: Warrior Princess” Lawless said that “Spartacus” is “Tonally completely different. The fighting, the technology — everything has changed so much.”

Another big difference between the two series’ is the graphic sex scenes in “Spartacus.” When asked about the sex scenes Lawless said that is was “weird having the slave characters in your personal space. As modern people, we like to have a nice, wide personal space.” John Hanna who plays Lawless’ husband in the series said that “it’s kind of embarrassing and a bit strange although it’s as choreographed and physically composed as the fight scenes.”

Executive producer Steven S. DeKnight doesn’t see it that way. “I personally don’t see it as graphic, but that’s me. It’s not just cue the funky music and they start having sex,” he said. “It’s not that.”