Spartacus star Andy Whitfield ready to do battle
In true gladiator style, Whitefield fights illness before second season of Spartacus
Entertainment Today - 7 May 2010
Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the classic tale of the legendary gladiator, has become a breakout success story for cable’s premium Starz Network. The first season finale airs April 16, but the filming of the second season was recently delayed while its titled star, Andy Whitfield does battle with a medical condition.
The muscular Spartacus star, Whitfield has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and he is receiving treatment. The Starz Network released a statement reporting the cancer was discovered during a routine checkup as Whitfield prepared to go into production for the sophomore season in New Zealand.
The Whitfield expects to come back in true gladiator style, and the athletic actor reports, “I’m receiving excellent care, and am feeling strong, positive and determined with an army of support behind me.”
Even before the show premiered, word of mouth had spread about Spartacus being akin to the film 300 with its graphic novel look. It is filled with splattering violence, as well as sex as explicit as Starz would allow, and still be considered artistic in the visceral storytelling.