What a horrible situation Starz has found themselves in. For the first time in the history of the network, they have an original program that's generating buzz, actually growing in the ratings each week, and now they're facing an uncertain future with it.
Nobody is going to downplay the significance of the fact that Andy Whitfield has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lympoma. Cancer is a very serious thing, and his fans and his bosses at the network wish nothing but the best for him and his family. Hopefully, he will recover and be able to move on with his career and his life.
But as the star of Spartacus: Blood & Sand, his illness certainly puts Starz in an awkward position. Whitfield is the title character of the series, so there's just no way the show can go on without him. Spartacus has already been renewed for a second season, and it is riding this positive wave of energy. Even the critics are appreciating that they have honed the formula and greatly improved the product throughout these past few months.
Staff writer Maurissa Tancharoe went on Twitter to assure fans that the series would not be ending as a result of Whitfield's diagnosis. "The second season is still happening," she wrote. "However, it is on hold at the moment due to star Andy Whitfield's health problems."
According to NY Magazine, Starz is looking into a potential prequel series that could utilize the existing sets. While Zap2It's article cites a possible younger actor to play Whitfield's character, most of the existing sets have to do with Spartacus' life as a slave. We have all the various sets at the ludus he lives and trains at, as well as the arenas he fights in. Other than that, we've seen some streets of Rome and that's about it.
But there could be a compelling story to be told in the ludus before Spartacus came to be a part of it. Perhaps we could see the story of how Crixus came to be there, or Spartacus' ill-fated friend. At this point, though, I would welcome any continuation of the tale, including a prequel series to sate our appetite until Whitfield is recovered enough to continue. It sounds like a better idea than a lengthy hiatus, which could hurt the show tremendously.
