Spartacus Star Andy Whitfield Dies of Lymphoma at 37

[Mr. DS]

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Andy-Whitfield-Dies-1037212.aspx?rss=breakingnews

Gone way, way, way too soon.    RIP Andy, you made the show ever more awesome that it already was.

[Couchtr26]

Sad to hear about Andy passing.  Was always hoping he would be able to return to the series, if not in the main role some supporting position.  He helped flesh out the character with his portrayal.  Would have liked to see more of him.  Very sad to hear.   

[indianasmith]

What a shame.  He was a very talented young actor.

I wonder if they will try to use a stand-in to finish out the story, as they did in ROME with Octavian's character?  I'd love to see Spartacus in full revolutionary mode!

[WingedSerpent]

A real shame. I loved the Spartacus: Blood and Sand series.   

[ChaosTheory]

  By all accounts he was a nice guy, and seemed to have a lot of potential as an actor.  Very sad news.

f**k cancer.  Seriously.

[Jim H]

What a shame.  He was a very talented young actor.

I wonder if they will try to use a stand-in to finish out the story, as they did in ROME with Octavian's character?  I'd love to see Spartacus in full revolutionary mode!

Yeah, Whitfield knew he couldn't come back and apparently encouraged them to replace him - they originally planned to just cancel the series.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2553987/

That's his replacement.  I find it strange they replaced him with someone over a decade younger - I thought it was a nice touch having Spartacus look a little more seasoned and experienced.  Fits his backstory better.  Hopefully the new guy will be good too.  He does look fairly similar to Whitfield at least.