Sunday Star Times
(New Zealand)
March 18, 2001


Xena, Warrior Princess, will die in the final episode of the series, an insider with a copy of the script for sale claims. The insider, whose sale offer was declined by the NZ Sunday Star-Times, said Xena, played by NZ star Lucy Lawless, was killed by samurai warriors in scenes filmed in Auckland last week.

The death of the TV cult hero, if true, would enrage die-hard Xena fans who say producer Rob Tapert had stated he would not kill off either Xena or her sidekick Gabrielle.

Sue May, a spokeswoman for Xena production company Pacific Renaissance, said she did not know if the script was genuine. "But obviously if it is, the production company would be one of disappointment because part of the fun for the millions of fans around the world is not knowing what is going to happen."

A spokeswoman for The Bubbas Guide to Xena: Warrior Princess website, Deborah Wood, said Tapert would become a 'hated man'. She could not see Xena dying. :The big question seems to be whether or not there will be some unequivocal satement or action regarding Xena and Gabrielle as lovers or perhaps whether they ride off into the sunset together."

Pacifc Renaissance publicity material prior to the launch of the sixth and last series in the US in October hinted at the show's ending, stating Xena, her daughter Livia and Gabrielle join forces to defeat the gods of Olympus in a 'stunning final showdown'.

May concedes scripts and ideas constantly evolved during filming and October last year was a 'long time ago'. Wood, who operates one of the hundreds of websites dedicated to the show, said Xena had 'died' at least twice before, as had Gabrielle, including in the first season finale.

Shooting on the programme is expected to finish at the end of the month.

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