Spartacus Season 2 Will Feature New Lead Actor

Fans of the breakout series Spartacus: Blood and Sand will be delighted to know that the show will have its second season come fall of 2011. However, the lead role will no longer be given to actor Andy Whitfield (pictured).

Whitfield was diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma last March 2010. He went to treatment and was declared with a clean bill of health by June. The hopes of shooting for the second season were dashed however when the cancer returned September. Due to this event, the production for the second season was delayed putting into question as to whether the series will go back to the small tube or not.

Starz network is said to be currently trimming down the list of actors who will replace Whitfield. Network President Chris Albrecht said, “We’re very confident where we are in the casting process of finding a lead actor to step into Spartacus’ sandals, though we will never be able to truly replace Andy Whitfield.”

A six episode prequel series entitled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which was shot while Whitfield was undergoing the initial treatment, will be shown for the meantime while waiting for season 2. Gods of Arena will start January 21.

Spartacus Andy Whitfield wont be Returning for Season 2

Bad news for "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" fans, Andy Whitfield was previously reported to have beaten back Stage 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and was in hard training for the new season, it seems he’s been ordered back by doctors to resume treatment once again. Andy Whitfield, star of Starz’s “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” has been advised by his doctors to immediately resume aggressive treatment for a recurrence of cancer

"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," says Whitfield.

Starz adds: "Our hearts and prayers are with Andy and his family during this difficult time. Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us."

In the meantime, Starz hasn't yet determined the fate of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Whitfield had been training for the second season, which was tentatively scheduled to air in September 2011. Plans for the series will be announced "at some later date."

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," the prequel to "Spartcus: Blood and Sand," will air as planned in January 2011. It stars John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah and Manu Bennett, along with newcomer Dustin Clare.

Starz Spartacus:Gods of the Arena Prequel Trio Cast

Dustin Clare, a virtual unknown in the U.S., but a popular TV actor in his native Australia, has landed the lead in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Starz’s six-part prequel to hit series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Jaime Murray and Marisa Ramirez are set to co-star in the prequel, which focuses on the House of Batiatus in its pre-Spartacus days and chronicles the rise of Gannicus (Clare), the first gladiator to become Champion of marisa_ramirezjaime-murrayCapua. Returning to reprise their roles from Spartacus: Blood and Sand are Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), John Hannah (Batiatus), Peter Mensah (Oenomaus) and Manu Bennett (Crixus). Murray, repped by Gersh and Luber Rocklin, will play Gaia, Lucretia’s (Lawless) friend and a Capua social climber.

Ramirez will play a beautiful slave girl with complicated relationships. Spartacus: Blood and Sand star Andy Whitfield will appear briefly in the prequel, which is slated to begin production in August in New Zealand for a January premiere on Starz. Whitfield, who plays the title character of Spartacus, will then rejoin the show in season two, which is set to begin production later this year. Whitfield, Lawless, Hannah, Spartacus: Blood and Sand co-star Viva Bianca and executive producer/head writer Steven S. DeKnight will be on hand for the series’ panel at Comic-Con on July 23.