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 The show’s lead, Andy Whitfield, has withdrawn from filming the second season.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?
Image courtesy Starz.
I say re-cast the role. I thought Andy was awesome as Spartacus, but I can’t imagine he will be able to physically rebound from 2 bouts of chemo. Spartacus is one of the best series I have seen. I am sick of great series getting cancelled. It would be an adjustment to get used to a new lead role, but I think, if cast right, we would all get used to the new Spartacus. Andy was great in the role, but Starz has something great with the series, and if they cancel the show, or wait for Andy, they may… Read more »
I also agree that Jai Courtney should come back, Varro was amazing! It was a shame when he died, obvious, but a shame. All of my blathering aside, My utmost condolences to Andy and his family, remember though he IS Spartacus. If Theocoles, Crixus and Glaber couldn’t take him down, and it took the might of the Real Roman soldiers to ultimately kill and Crucify his entire army along the Apian Way from Rome to Capua, than I think Spartacus can beat this. We are his army now, Fight For Him!!!
-Rich
I love Spartacus almost as much or more than Rome. Whitfield is a huge part of that, he plays the character with an intensity not seen in many actors of late. For a not so well known actor, I can’t really see who could replace him, if they are willing to wait out his treatment (Gods willing he recovers completely), then so am I. If not it isn’t fair to the fans or other actors on the show to be denied such an incredible viewing experience because they lose a great actor. It does seem he was the linch-pin of… Read more »
From the minute I saw Andy Whitfield as Spartacus, he had my attention, and as the series went on, had my devotion to Spartacus Blood and Sand! He IS SPARTACUS!! Good for Starz for making the prequel and not announcing anything further about the sequel to Blood and Sand. My prayers go out to Andy and his family for a healthy, speedy recovery. All the actors did a great job in the series. I don’t believe anyone can take the place of Andy Whitfield, so I pray he gets better and can return to do what he did best. All… Read more »
I love this series! I really don’t want them to cancel it. 🙁
However, I can’t see Spartacus without Andy Whitfield… >.< He *is* Spartacus! I would surely give a new guy a chance but I would much rather it just be Whitfield, even if I had to wait. And I mean… If we have to go changing the cast… Can't we bring back Jai Courtney?… Pretty please?! <3 haha
Wait for Andy…he made the show!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Starz for your support 🙂
I absolutely love this show. It won’t be the same without Andy Whitfield. I hope they just postpone the show until he’s better… Come back Andy!
I know without Whitfield it just wouldnt be the same. I really dont think I would continue watching if he wasn’t in it. My heart goes out to him and prayers for his health and his family’s strenght.
The show ended last season with so many things to look forward to, I personally would wait for him to return. So many good actors and I feel sure they would do a great job but they are not Andy.
I can’t see anyone else playing Spartacus,that would be a hard roll to fill since Andy is so loved by all his fans,good luck to the actor who trys to replace him for he will never be SPARTACUS ! I say do the prequel,do the first season again,and pray that Andy beats his cancer and returns to the role that was made for HIM.Good luck Andy we will all be praying for you and hoping for you to return.
WAIT! NO ONE is gonna be able to do a better job than Andy! I’d wait another 2 years if it meant Andy continuing to play the role as Spartacus. Get well soon Andy.
My prayers are with Andy. I like the idea of the show going back to how everything got started to give Andy a chance to return. However, if he is unable to return, as they say in showbiz, the show must go on.
If it is at all possible for Starz I would like to see another prequel or even a postponement to give Andy a chance for a comeback. Sadly for me, I cannot envision a Spartacus without him. Call me sentimental but, if the decision were left to me and Whitfield could never return,
I would scrap the show altogether.
I’m sure – or at least I’m hopeful – that the replacement won’t suck. But, like I said in the STARZ board, this is a good series. The other actors are great. The network and the show is really standing up for Andy – and I can’t stop saying how amazing I think that is. I’ve known of at least two LONG-running sitcoms that were cancelled and guess what – the actors weren’t even notified or given the chance to give a proper farewell show. Look at ‘Married with Children’? Imagine if you were doing a show for a decade… Read more »
They should keep the prequel on, try to wait him out…and find/train his replacement NOW.
I’ll wait for Andy but there’s a good chance that he may not be able to come back.
Even if he does get better, he may not feel up to training for this role.
I hope all is well with him.
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I also say postpone it until Andy gets better. Like i said before Spartacus is HIS role and I cannot see anyone replacing him. Starz can concentrate on the other characters until Andy recovers. My prayers and thought are with Andy and his family.