Andy Whitfield's Death

In March 2010, Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began treatment immediately in New Zealand. This delayed production of season two of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, with only a brief uncredited voiceover from the actor. Although declared cancer-free only two months later, he suffered a recurrence of the disease later in the year and was ultimately forced to leave the role. Starz recast Australian actor Liam McIntyre as Spartacus.
A short 18 months after his cancer diagnosis, Whitfield died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma on September 11, 2011. The actor's manager, Sam Maydew, and Andy's wife, Vashti, issued a statement confirming his death in Sydney, Australia 'surrounded by his family'. He is survived by his wife and two children.