Spartacus has a new lead actor. Starz confirmed to Access Hollywood that Australian actor Liam McIntyre would be playing the role of spartacus. This comes just days after Starz announed that they are recasting the lead role left by Andy Whitfield, who has been battling cancer.
Liam McIntyre, born February 8, 1982 in Adelaide, Australia will take over the role of Andy Whitfield for Season 2 of Spartacus, which begins shooting this spring. He is known for his roles on the long-running Australian soap "Neighbors" and had a small role in
HBO's "The Pacific." Liam is currently in New Zealand training and shaping up for his new role as spartacus.
"Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead 'Spartacus' forward," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement. "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."
Andy Whitfield left the series due to his battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" will begin to air January 21, 2011 starring Lucy Lawless and John Hannah.
Source: omg.yahoo.com ; www.imdb.com
