'Damages' Sets 'Spartacus' Star Opposite Ryan Phillippe (Exclusive)

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John Hannah, left, and Ryan Phillipe

John Hannah is swapping his sword and sandals for a suit and tie.

The Spartacus star has been tapped for a major recurring role opposite Ryan Phillippe in the fifth and final season of DirecTV’s Damages, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

Phillippe was cast this month to play McClaren, a Julian Assange-type character who looks to Rose Byrne’s Ellen for help.

Hannah will play Rutger, McClaren’s loyal adviser and protector whose ability to put out political fires and strong desire to see him succeed make him indispensible.

Hannah, who played Batiatus in Starz’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand and its prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, also co-starred in The Mummy features. He’s repped by Innovative Artists, Untitled and ARG in the U.K.

Damages, starring Glenn Close, returns for its final season in the summer on DirecTV.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit