I think you misunderstood what Adam meant. Andy Whitfield will not be back as Spartacus for season 2. His cancer has returned and they've decided to look for another actor to take the role.
LIAM MCINTYRE CHOSEN TO PLAY TITLE ROLE IN NEW ‘SPARTACUS’
Australian Actor Picked to Topline Hit Series for StarzProduction of Season 2 Is Set to Begin in New Zealand by Spring 2011
Beverly Hills, CA – Jan. 17, 2011 – Australian film and TV actor Liam McIntyre has excelled at a grueling and rigorous audition process to claim the title role in the second season of Starz’ hit franchise, “Spartacus,” Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht announced today.
McIntyre takes over the role of the Thracian warrior sold into slavery in the Roman Republic city of Capua – where he rises to become the champion of the city – before leading the slave revolt that ended Season 1. The part was played in the first season of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” by Andy Whitfield, who was forced to leave the show in order due to health issues. Whitfield gave his blessing to the recasting.
“Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead ‘Spartacus’ forward,” Albrecht notes. “It was important to us to have Andy endorse the idea of recasting this part, which he did in the same heroic manner that he’s dealt with his whole ordeal. And that, coupled with our fortune in finding a young actor with the gladiator credentials and the acting ability of Liam, makes it easier for us to keep this hit franchise going.”
Liam McIntyre made his mark in his native Australia on such series as “Neighbours,” and “Rush.” He also appeared in the HBO mini-series “The Pacific.” He recently completed his first feature starring role in the independent film Frozen Moments. McIntyre is currently in New Zealand, getting himself into gladiator shape in order to take on that iconic role. Production on the series is slated to resume by Spring of 2011.
From the time “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” debuted on Starz in January, 2010, it established itself as an epic production with rich storytelling and visuals unlike anything seen previously on any TV show. Audiences responded immediately, making it the most-watched premiere in Starz’ history, and making the show the most watched cable program on nearly two-thirds of the Fridays it aired original episodes. Also starring John Hannah as Batiatus, Lucy Lawless as Lucretia, Peter Mensah as Doctore, Manu Bennett as Crixus and Viva Bianca as Ilythia, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” was one of the most talked-about and best-loved TV shows of 2010. Season 2 of the series finds Spartacus and his fellow gladiators now out of Capua and engaged in the massive slave rebellion against Roman society that has echoed through time.
“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” a six-part prequel that tells the story of the House of Batiatus gladiator school, and the intricate personal, sexual and political maneuverings in Capua five years before “Blood and Sand” was set, debuts at 10 p.m. et/pt on Friday, Jan. 21. Dustin Clare, as the charismatic and self-destructive gladiator Gannicus, joins Hannah, Lawless, Mensah and Bennett in the event series.
Brilliant start to the season last night; they picked up in late season form.. I enjoy the new characters, and am ready to enjoy watching the Celt's meteoric rise come to a screeching halt, and go through the rise of Crixus The sight of the new Arena being built, and the story of the lutus gaining favor will be really interesting
I still can't believe Lucy Lawless gets naked. For some reason before this show I never thought that'd happen. She's such a beautiful woman. The spurting blood from the beheaded I can do without, but all in all, it's entertaining.
Whoever does the set design and layout has really paid great attention to very small details that help make this show really succeed. From the way the lutus is designed to the cobble streets that improve as you move toward new construction (the new arena) and get worse as you move down the way.. etc.The small details here are very good. And Hanna and Lawless are really substantial in their roles. It's an interesting turnabout. In "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" we were rooting for the rise of Spartacus. Here, we're rooting in some way for the rise of the two men who would be his tormentors. I find the design of Crixus to be especially good; showing him come into the lutus as untrained, small, weak in the eyes of the other warriors. When we know that he turns into the greatest warrior they have. We see his soon to be wife/woman titilated at the idea of being offered to a gladiator, and we get told she was an eager virgin, waiting to sacrifice to one of the noble warriors, and we wonder if her first was Crixus. The fight scenes are still filmed with a really nice style, and the Arena comes across with all the depravity you'd expect in a sport of killing men.
I thought it was a pretty good first show. It does have a lot of the look and feel of the first one. I agree on the attention to detail in the sets. This show does push the boundaries on so many fronts.
I thought it was a great start to the show, and is in midseason form. It's crazy that Batiatis(sp?) and his friend will become enemies. Lucy Lawless looks as good as ever.
Great first episode, I'm the same as some of you in that I wish it was more than just 6 episodes. Gonna be great to see how they show the rise of Crixus, should be a good ride.....John Hannah is just masterful in his role as Batiatus and I wish they hadn't killed him off but definitely understand why they had too. Also, I thought it was cool to see him and Solonius as friends so I'm curious to see how that goes south.