![Nellie Andreeva](https://web.archive.org/web/20101109192303im_/http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/themes/deadline/img/DH-TV_100x100_Final.jpg)
EXCLUSIVE: The search for the new lead of Starz's flagship drama series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, is entering its final stage, with the field narrowed down to three actors: Stephen Amell, Aiden Turner and Liam McIntyre. I hear the three are being flown to New Zealand for screen tests and to meet with the show's cast and crew, with a final decision on who would be the next Spartacus expected as early as this week. The actor will replace original Spartacus star Andy Whitfield who dropped out in September when his cancer returned. He
was first diagnosed with treatable Stage 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in early March when the series was in pre-production on Season 2. Whitfield's cancer recurrence put the second season of Spartacus in limbo, leaving the series' producers with a choice to recast the role or end the series,which put Starz on the original programming map with its highly-rated first season. Ultimately, they launched a search for a new actor to play the famous gladiator. Like Australian Whitfield was before he landed Spartacus, Canadian Amell (Closing the Ring), Brit Turner (All My Children) and Australian McIntyre (The Pacific) are relatively unknown foreign actors with chiseled looks and impressive physique. Turner is the most familiar name because of his long run on All My Children and as a contestant on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The Spartacus prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, is slated to launch in January.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Oooh! Yes, yes, and yes. Done.
Dear Mr. Norton:
Goodness gracious, Graham, it’s 11:00 p.m. in London. Go to bed already!
Haha! That’s Ms. Norton to you. Not Graham, but I do enjoy the show.
That’s sad news, no one could ever replace Andy. Why couldn’t they postpone the show a little bit longer like Breaking Bad? I wouldn’t mind waiting. I’ll still tune in but it won’t be the same.
Silly question, won’t Aiden Turner be a bit busy shooting The Hobbit for the next year or so, given he was named one of the dwarfs in it just the other week (with a shoot that starts in February 2011)?
When would he be able to do this other series? Does he have a clone?
It’s a different Aiden Turner. One’s the Being Human guy and doing the Hobbit. This one is the soap opera actor, and the DWTS alum.
different guy. The guy in the Hobbit is AIDAN Turner, this guy is AIDEN Turner.
I’ll take all three please I can send u my address and credit card # right now
honestly, Amell is probably the one that looks the most like Andy Whitfield – they is all sexy but omg he’s perfect lol
I’m Spartacus!
*snort!*
Meh. Really not sure how they’re going to pull this off. I remain skeptical.
In the end I’m still very sad it didn’t work out for Andy. Perhaps they could focus the team on the prequel until he gets better? But it seems we’re past that stage now…
Wait and see then.
Whoever gets the part, he will have big sandles to fill.
They are all yummy to look at. I would say Amell most closely resembles Andy. I love this show and really hope whomever they choose can do it justice the way Andy did.
Best wishes to Andy and his family. Our thoughts are with you.
It won’t be the same….I don’t know if I want to watch with out Andy! BOO HOO!
Just can’t fathom Spartacus played by another actor. Get well quick Andy….I love ya as the Thracian(sp)
Amell is your MAN!
My vote is Aiden Turner..
the guy has the chops and physique to “execute” this well..
Ok you think you can replace Andy Go ahead and try. See if they can fill his shoes i hope so. But Nobody is as Good as Andy Whitfield. We Love you Andy God Bless you and Your Family! Get Well soon and can’t Wait to see You Return to Your Role! God Speed to Your Quick Recovery Andy!
God this town is rough !! Best wishes to the actor they are replacing
There is no replacing Andy. Honestly, no matter what you think of the show, he did an incredible job. I think it’s a horrible decision to continue without him. I understand the producers need to do it, but it still sucks for everyone. I just hope he gets better soon and gets a ton of TV and film work. He’s a great actor.
Loves aidan turner. Great physique, gorgeous face, great actor. I don’t want an “Andy” lookalike as that would be a dishonor to Whitfield. When I heard about the recast (of which I am AGAINST) I thought of Aidan Turner right off the bat!
I’m partial to Andy and waiting for his return..if they “had” to recast why couldn’t it only be temporary till he recovers? Andy is cause for a huge part of the success of Spartacus, I think we owe it to him to wait again. There are many other stories they could expand in the mean time, I would be willing to watch if I knew the door was always open for Andy’s return…..
Without Andy there is no Spartacus. Going back to when he was younger was a smart move that bought them a year but that’s it. Do the right thing and wait. Hard core fans like me, out of principal, will not watch it with a replacement.
‘Nuff said
Agreed, what a low brow move after firing the guy who made it happen in the first place (Hamm). Does Starz have no other ideas? Albrecht must be desperate. Would Sopranos have continued without Gandolfini? Find some other ideas and give a proper hiatus for Andy. Not like it is season 4 with a huge audience.
Do Not Want.
It is going to be so hard to replace Andy. It just might kill the show replacing him. I personally wish they would wait and hope that Andy can return but I digress.
Good luck with casting.
Liam looks perfect for the role! But I remain skeptical of anyone filling Andy’s sandles, but if anyone can bet on the AUSSIE!
McIntyre has it in the bag. If anyone can fill Andy’s shoes its Liam.
Cant wait to hear the outcome!
I hope they pick the Aussie, he is the best by far.
LIAM FOR THE WIN!!
Spunkiest & he’s Aussie. Win win situation really. If we’re going to be honest.
Wow, the UK actor’s union must have pretty loose rules on soundalike names if they’re okay with both an Aidan Turner and an Aiden Turner. Seriously confusing.
It is a sad thing for Andy. The best Spartacus look is Amell for sure. The other two guys are too cutesy for this role – Amell has it.
First picture: this actor looks too ” gay “, like a queer, it’s not believable he is manly enough to play the part.
Second picture: this actor is good looking, but a pretty face, pretty boy with no depth, or substance.
Third picture: this actor is the right one. He is good looking, rugged, intensity in his eyes, he has emotional and physical strength to pull off the part. He looks passionate and there’s a temperament, certainly quiet manly presence that he holds, mystery! This is the one!!!
Why don’t they get an actor instead?
Please, consider casting a New Zealander.
Given that the show is being shot in NZ, why not cast a local in the role? After all, that worked out pretty well for Lucy Lawless, who is now married to producer Rob Tapert.
Amell all the way, perfect recast
I really wish the producers would wait and see what happens with Andy and his treatment, but it looks like they’re going to go ahead and replace him, which is a tad discouraging.
I’m on the fence as to whether I’ll watch Season 2, because nobody will be able to adequately fill Andy’s big sandals.
The other 2 look like boy band members. Liam looks much more the part of Spartacus.
If Andy can’t do it, then it should definitely be Liam.
You can’t really judge who the most Suitable looking for the job is by these 3 photos. They are just random port folio pics. Iv seen Liam McIntyre act before and there is nothing pretty boy or “gay” about him at all. from what I’ve seen He’s a perfect choice!!!
You guys DO realize that Andy QUIT the show, right? And why did he quit? Because he has CANCER. He didn’t pull a hammy, he has CANCER. And it’s come back aggressively. The hard truth is that he will be lucky to survive, much less fully recover, much less be able to continue with his career.
Why don’t you all get it? There is no “waiting for Andy” when Andy, himself, QUIT so he could FIGHT THIS THING and try to LIVE.
The show didn’t fire him so there is no “waiting for him” as an option. Especially since they already waited a full YEAR for him. Duh.
How freakin’ dense are some people?
Totally agree with you there Sam. Andy quit the show and is now facing the “FIGHT OF HIS LIFE” in the Arena of Life and trying his best to beat cancer. Hopefully, he does beat it and then he can go on and concentrate enjoying precious time with his wife and family!!! Anyone having family who have suffered cancer will now that the main priority here is trying to beat it and survive to spend time with family…….not going back to work! Wish people would put it into perspective!
thanks for being so frank about andy and what he has to go through – I send him and his family all best wishes and support in a very diffficult time…
Amell is the best guy for the role. I’ve seen Amell’s work and he’ll do Andy proud. Hands down, Amell is #1
Great reporting- one concern- if you look all over the web- it seems like Stephen Amell or his reps could be planting a lot of the comments. I would check the IP addresses Nikki. Kinda fishy. They likely leaked this story too- how else can an unknown get some solid press. My favorite comment is from “Gorgeous”- who after reading your article and looking at 3 pictures of these guys decided to call Liam McIntyre ”too gay” and Aiden Turner ”a pretty boy with no depth”.
“Gorgeous” Then went on to post this gushing nonsense about Stephen Amell- ”Third picture: this actor is the right one. He is good looking, rugged, intensity in his eyes, he has emotional and physical strength to pull off the part. He looks passionate and there’s a temperament, certainly quiet manly presence that he holds, mystery! This is the one!!! “.
REALLY- ”Gorgeous”, you got this VIBE off a PHOTO of an unknown actor with zero credits. Emotional Strength, temperament…. All of that was apparent from viewing A PHOTOGRAPH!
I Googled Stephen Ammell and came across his whacked out blog- http://preludetoabigbreak.com/
Yes, that is the actual title of the blog. Preludetoabigbreak. WTF. It is loaded with Insane rants that are strikingly similar in tone to some of the comments on DHD and on other Sites across the web after you broke this story.
Agreed, somebody really needs to check the IP address on some of these comments. Heck, this isn’t the fist time an actor/actress’s rep has planted fake fan comments. Do I have to remind you guys of Armie Hammer’s agent posting crap on this and other entertainment sites?
I’ve met Steve Amell in person and he’s extremely handsome and very masculine. No doubt, he’s the perfect replacement. Amell is top choice.
I HAVE TO AGREE- AMNEL IS THE BEST CHOICE. YUM!
Hope he gets well, keep fighting and beat the cancer
Nobody will be as good as Andy – but they will be different. Comparing him to them will be like comparing apples to oranges. Soap Operas have replaced actors with success for decades, and it won’t be any different here.
My heart goes out to Andy and the only important thing to me is that he gets truly well. He now has a worldwide multitude of fans eager to see him again, and I’m positive he’ll be offered roles every bit as good as SPARTACUS and better, when he comes out of this terrible ordeal.
Andy, get well and beat this damn thing. I sincerely sympathize with you as your breakthrough part moves on. Come back when you can — we’re all rooting for you and can’t wait to see you again, IN ANYTHING!!
I honestly think Liam is the closest match. The other two don’t come close. If anyone is able to fill the sandals of Spartacus it’s Liam
What I find most bewildering is that they can not find ANYONE else out there but a soap opera actor? and Mr.Turner? Why not search around a bit? it is a little bit scary what our industry has become.
McIntyre is your guy:
I’ve been reading all of the comments and honestly looking at all three pictures, Stephen Amell looks the most like Andy. So if that’s what the show is looking for, then the choice seems obvious.
I love the show Spartacus and am very intersted to see what happens next.
My thoughts go out to Andy and he’ll be missed. He was fabulous on the show.
Liam McIntyre. No other choice. Wow.