The future of Starz’s Spartacus series is now in doubt. The show’s lead, Andy Whitfield, has withdrawn from filming the second season.
The first season, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, tells the story of the classic gladiator and stars newcomer Andy Whitfield as the title character. The show also stars Antonio Te Maioha, Craig Parker, Erin Cummings, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Nick E. Tarabay, and Peter Mensah.
Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March and, after treatment, was declared cancer-free in May. He was training hard to get back into filming and, at Comic-Con, Whitfield said he felt “better than ever.” He’s now been advised by his doctors to resume aggressive treatments immediately.
In a statement, Whitfield said, “It’s with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far.”
Spartacus was renewed for a second season even before the first started airing. Shooting of the second season was postponed so Whitfield could undergo treatment. To fill the absence, Starz ordered a prequel called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena which focuses on co-stars Lawless and Hannah. It tells the tale of the rise of the House of Batiatus before Spartacus’ arrival in Capua.
Whitfield was supposed to return to shoot Spartacus next month. No decisions have yet been made about the future of the series thus far. “Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family,” said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director, Starz Media. “We will address our programming plans at some later date.”
The second season of Spartacus was expected to air next September. On a positive note, the prequel is currently filming in New Zealand and will debut in January 2011 as planned.
What do you think? What should Starz do? Suspend production of season two until Whitfield can hopefully return? Recast the role, do another prequel, or cancel the series altogether?
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Image courtesy Starz.
I think Andy is great in the role, but I think people are missing what wasn’t said in the article. Andy dropped out of the series to “resume aggressive treatments immediately”., this would indicate that the cancer has come back in a big way and the toll on his body will be pretty drastic and this is a series that you can’t hide anything. He may make a full recovery or he may not; I hope he does. I think they will recast the lead role, this is Starz one big hit series and to suspend production indefinitely and possibly… Read more »
although i am all for loyalty, there is the chance the whitfield will never come back. i can’t see wasting a great show with a great cast and letting it go. couldn’t they have an excuse as to why spartacus is gone, kidnapped or something, or temporarily recast the role and go on with the series until the day that we all hope comes that whitfield can come back again as spartacus, whom we all love. this being said, my prayers and best wishes go out to him and his family & friends.
Well I would say give him a few years, 2 only and while waiting do back stories on other characters.
I would like to see how some of his opponents became who they were, how the slave girl became a slave, how other romans became who they were, the clashes that lead to the opening of the coliseums and so forth.
Hell really I want to see more T and A in old times…
SUSPEND until the main character is up to doing the show. It will not be the same without
Andy – actually, I probably wouldn’t watch a re-casted Spartacus. Wishing him a quick and complete recovery!
In the meantime, we have such interesting Characters as Crixus and Doctore even evil Ashur that we can take a look back at their stories in prequels until Andy Whitfield can return to the Ludus.
Starz can take this delay into a whole new place if they have the wherewithal to do so.
I agree with Erica on her Sept 19 comment. I wish the best for Andy and his family!
I agree with Erica Sept. 19, 2010 — DO NOT CANCEL– Stretch the prequels — Andy is Spartacus — Andy and his Family are going thru a new part of their lifes and I wish them all my prays and God’s Guiding Light.
God Bless ALL
DO NOT CANCEL! Best way would be to stretch out the prequel, focus on the House of Batiatus and Crixus. Prequel starts 5 years before Spartacus’ arrival. If the writers want they can stretch this over several seasons. That gives them and Andy a lot of time for reconsideration. All my best wishes to Andy – may he come out of this strong and healthy.
Of course, Andy made the only and correct decision for him and his family. Regarding the future of the show, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, reality dictates that if Andy cannot return: recast his role.
leave it be and let this Spartacus become legend!
favourite show recasting would suck!!! no one could replace andy whitfield!!!
i just pray to god that he starts feeling better so he can continue with the show our prays are with you!!
I love the show. Though Andy is the face of Spartacus, there are other issues to consider as well, so I don’t think cancelling is an option. There are many people involved and there is a lot of money involved. So, I would say suspend for a certain amount of time to see if Andy can get back, but recast, if it takes too long. Maybe take a replacement for the time he’s out, so basically doing the Guiding Light thing.
great show…Andy did for this what Heath did for Batman….I love the show
so recasting would be my preference if the delay was too long….
This show is about honor. The honorable thing to do is suspend. I love this show and would like to see it continue but not without Andy. Life is more important than entertainment!
Well said Shaunaconda, couldn’t have said it better myself. Suspend the show, is indeed the best thing to do. Andy is the heart and soul of that show, without him, it has no reason to be. Andy’s health is all that matters at this point.
if life can be lived without entertainment, then count me out.
Just keep making prequels until he recovers.