It is with great sadness that The Eye of Raven has to report that Andy Whitfield has died aged 39.


Andy Whitfield, the original star of Starz’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand period drama, died on Sunday of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

“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.”

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague,” Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht says in a statement to our sister site Deadline.com. “[The] man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life. Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
In January of this year, Aussie actor Liam McIntyre (HBO’s The Pacific) was chosen to assume the title role in what is now titled Spartacus: Vengeance — and with his predecessor’s OK. “Andy did call up the [producers] and said, ‘I do want the show to continue.’ He gave his blessing,” McIntyre shared at this summer’s San Diego Comic-Con. Filling Whitfield’s sandals, he added, was “a great privilege and a great honor.”

Source: tvline 

Sources tell Reuters that the cable network has begun talks with casting directors to about possibly finding a replacement.

Reportedly Whitfield supports the series' continuation. If no appropriate replacement can be found, Starz and the producers may opt to delay its return or cancel production altogether. Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and a "Spartacus" prequel was crafted that did not involve him.

The prequel is currently filming in New Zealand and is set to air in January, but a decision about the second season will have to be reached in the next couple months because production is set to begin on the second season immediately following the filming of the prequel.

The show also wants to find a way to have Whitfield involved somehow because any credit on the show means he remains an employed member of the production.

Source: Zap2It

Although it was reported in July that "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" star Andy Whitfield was feeling "better than ever," apparently his non-Hodgkin lymphoma has returned, causing him to leave the Starz gladiator ring for treatment. 

The network states in an announcement that doctors told him 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.

Source: Zap2It

Australia's GO! (Channel 9's digital channel) has announced the airdate for the movie length screening of Episode 1 and 2 for 18th August 2010 at 9:30 pm.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is rated MAV for its Strong Violence and Sex Scenes. To get everyone in the mood, GO! has decided to make Spartacus BaS part of a week of Gladiator-themed entertainment including the movies 300, Troy and Alexander.

Source: TVTonight