Sunday, September 19, 2010

Whitfield leaves 'Spartacus' for 2nd cancer battle

Starz network says "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" star Andy Whitfield is leaving the show to battle a recurrence of cancer.

Production of the "Spartacus" series' second season was postponed this spring when Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The cable television network said Whitfield was responding well to treatment, but the cancer has returned.

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2010 file photo, actor Andy Whitfield attends a screening of "Extraordinary Measures" hosted by The Cinema Society in New York. Starz network says "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" star Andy Whitfield is leaving the show to battle a recurrence of cancer



The British-born Whitfield played the gladiator hero in the show's breakout first season.

The network said co-stars Lucy Lawless and John Hannah would take center stage for a six-episode prequel leading up to Spartacus' arrival. It will air beginning in January.

In a statement, Whitfield expressed regret at leaving the series while describing his cancer battle "as another extraordinary journey."

Starz network says "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" star Andy Whitfield is leaving the show to battle a recurrence of cancer.

Production of the "Spartacus" series' second season was postponed this spring when Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The cable television network said Whitfield was responding well to treatment, but the cancer has returned.

The British-born Whitfield played the gladiator hero in the show's breakout first season.

The network said co-stars Lucy Lawless and John Hannah would take center stage for a six-episode prequel leading up to Spartacus' arrival. It will air beginning in January.

In a statement, Whitfield expressed regret at leaving the series while describing his cancer battle "as another extraordinary journey."





No comments:

Post a Comment