Andy's Gone Already

The beautiful Andy Whitfield has died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sydney. The 39 year old Wales native was diagnosed 18 months ago while preparing for the second season of Spartacus. Though he was an relative unknown when the show started, Andy's performance was so strong and iconic that production on season two was halted for about a year in an attempt to give Whitfield time to recover from the disease. During that time, producers shot a prequel series titled Gods of the Arena without Andy. Briefly it seemed he would make it — he was cleared to start work on season two and made a triumphant return appearance at Comic-Con. But Andy soon relapsed. Faced with the decision of either cancelling the series or recasting, Starz and producers opted to hire newcomer Liam McIntyre for the lead role, with Andy's blessing.

“On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18-month battle with lymphoma cancer,” Whitfield’s wife Vashti said in a statement cited by the Associated Press. “He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.”

Andy has left behind his wife, Vashta and two young children, a son aged 6 and a three year old daughter.  Our love goes to his family and our respect to a man who faced this hideous disease with quiet courage and grace.

Cool Rider

Blood & Sand

In January 2012 Spartacus will finally be back for a new full season of 13 episodes, but with a new ‘Spartacus’ actor. Here are the first photos of Liam McIntyre in action as the new Spartacus.

There has understandably been a lot of fan resistance to the new lead actor with many feeling that the show should not have continued without Andy who is currently battling cancer.  To the shows credit, the second season was put on indefinite hold and a prequel was filmed to give Andy time to recover but when Andy had to return for aggressive treatment the decision was finally made to continue without him. 

Apparently Andy got in touch with the director and said... ‘I love this story, I love the character, and I want to see it played all the way through, and you have my full support to do that.”

Spartacus News

Wentworth Miller has expressed interest in taking over the title role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand. As you know I'm a huge fan of Andy Whitfields and I honestly thought that spartacus could not continue with out him - they did consider closing up shop after Andy's cancer treatment ruled him out of the show but they are now going ahead with the re-casting option.

Wentworth is rather a great choice although I'm leaning towards another (New Zealand)Australian for the role - Grant Bowler - we'll just have to keep an eye on developments.

Will It Won't It?

Looks like the fate of the TV show - SPARTACUS is very much up in the air.
Steven DeKnight, the exec producer had this to say - “The two main options are to close up shop or recast, I want to talk to Andy and find out how he feels about the options. That’s obviously very important to us.  We’re still absorbing what’s happened. I think it’s going to be a little while before we reach any conclusions.” (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, a prequel to the series, will still air as scheduled in January 2011.)

Devastating News for Andy Whitfield

“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.” 

Andy made this statement earlier this week after doctors told him he needs to embark on aggressive treatment for the return of his cancer.

We wish Andy and his family the very best of luck with this latest battle. 

Oh For A Man Like Spartacus!

Batiatus: How many men would you kill to see your wife again?

Spartacus: I would kill them all.

Spartacus Blood & Sand

This may surprise you but I am greatly looking forward to the Australian premiere of SPARTACUS - BLOOD AND SAND which airs in Australia tomorrow night at 9.30
I 'm not sure why it appeals to me but I will definitely be tuning in with great anticipation.

I have just realised that the lead is in fact an actor who has spent the last 11 years working in the Australian TV industry!  Andy Whitfield has most recently been seen in Packed To The Rafters and McLeods Daughters, although he was originally from Wales and moved to Australia in 1999.

In March of this year Andy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began treatment immediately in New Zealand at the end of filming season one. As a result, production on the second season of Spartacus - which was scheduled to get underway late in April - had to be delayed.

Andy and his wife have two children which makes his cancer diagnosis even more tragic.

The good news is that he has recently been declared cancer free and is in remission! 
Hopefully  knowing a bit more about Andy inspires you to tune in tomorrow night.  Enjoy - I know I will.