‘Spartacus’ Star Lucy Lawless Arrested, Faces Three Years in Jail
Lucy Lawless lived up to her name after getting cuffed in New Zealand back in February. And reports surfaced today that the 44-year-old 'Spartacus' and 'Xena' star has plead guilty to charges of trespassing, which could net her up to three years in jail. Not quite as bad as being forced into gladiatorial slavery but still...
The arrest stems from Lawless and a band of fellow Greenpeace members' trespassing an oil drilling rig in February and camping out on its tower for four days, as a form of protest against global warming.
Lawless and six other Greenpeace members boarded the Arctic-bound ship where the actress was photographed holding a sign that read "STOP SHELL," the company behind the planned drilling operation.
At the time, Lawless told the press her children's futures is what motivated her risky act of protest. "My sole biological reason for being on this planet is to ensure that they can flourish, and they can't do that in a filthy, degraded environment," said the former Warrior Princess.
Despite the possibility of jail time, Lawless told the Associated Press she has "no regrets" about her actions.
"For the first time in my life, I put my body and reputation on the line to stand up for my beliefs and do the right thing, I hope I've encouraged other people to do the same."
Of course, time in the slammer could pose a problem for a working actress whose career requires her to travel. Though she doesn't expect to do any hard time as a first offender, Lawless did admit that any travel restrictions stemming from the arrest would be "a tremendous pain in the ass."
Lawless, who hails from New Zealand, has been released from custody. Initially charged with burglary, the charges against her have since been reduced with sentencing due in September. Lawless, a "climate ambassador" for Greenpeace, says she plans to continue work with the organization.