Saturday, September 18, 2010

Andy Whitfield not returning to ‘Spartacus’ due to recurrence of Cancer

Actor Andy Whitfield, who plays Spartacus in the Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand", will not be returning to the series for a second season because he is now facing another battle. Reportedly, Whitfield experienced a return of his cancer and aggressive treatment is needed.

Wales-born Whitfield said in a statement, "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."

Last March, Whitfield had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said, "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."

The future of the series is still pending!

[Image courtesy by starz]

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