Andy Whitfield at the Spartacus: Blood and Sand Press Conference at The Four Seasons Hotel on July 21 in Beverly Hills, California. (WireImage)

Andy Whitfield at the Spartacus: Blood and Sand Press Conference at The Four Seasons Hotel on July 21 in Beverly Hills, California. (WireImage)

Series lead Andy Whitfield will not return to the Starz series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” for the show’s second season because of a recurrence of cancer.

Whitfield has battled non-Hodkin’s lymphoma, and the recurrence will require aggressive treatment, Starz 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,” said the 36-year-old Australian actor in a statement. “It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey.”

The story broke in March that the actor was diagnosed.

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John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

6 Responses

  1. Kastle

    Man all my wishes and hopes go out to this guy. I believe he will destroy cancer like his character did to Theokoles!

    Reply
  2. Orlando

    Great show, even better actor, I really hope he pulls through this time and defeats this disease. My prayers go out to you Andy and your family, get well soon buddy.

    Reply
  3. joey mizzay mack

    get well andy, so you can kick the legatus’s ass. suck yeah. do it for brother crixus.

    Reply
  4. KKjimbo

    Very sad news, I thought Andy was brilliant in the role, hope he get’s well in time for the 007 re-casting (I think Daniel will move on) he would make a fantastic Bond.

    Reply
  5. Ness

    Ohhh What?… no way!.. the show wont be the same without him!…best Spartacus ever!…Just sincerely hope that you make a full recovery Andy…we certainly haven’t seen enough of you as an actor and I’m positive that you will be acting for a long time yet…get well soon!.. and stay strong! xx

    Reply

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