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‘All My Children’ alum Aiden Turner among the three finalists to take over the leading role on ‘Spartacus.’
Three Finalists for Spartacus Recast Includes former Dancing With the Stars Contestant & Soap Star Aiden Turner
Deadline.com broke exclusive news today regarding the future of the hit Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. All My Children alum Aiden Turner (Aidan), along with Stephen Amell and Liam McIntyre are the three finalists being screen tested for the lead role of Spartacus.
The series has been without its leading actor since star Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) was forced to exit the show upon in September upon finding out his cancer had returned. Whitfield was diagnosed with treatable Stage 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early March when the show was in pre-production of Season 2.
Whitfield’s departure gave the producers a dilemma — either recast the role of Spartacus or end the series. Spartacus:Blood and Sand, Starz’s highest rated original series is considered the show that put Starz on the “original programming map.” Ultimately it was decided to start the search for a new actor to play the infamous gladiator.
British hunk Aiden Turner is considered the most recognizable out of the three actors. Known for his role as Aidan Devane on the ABC soap opera All My Children, the model-turned-actor earned an Daytime Emmy nomination in 2003 for Outstanding Younger Actor. He departed the series in late 2009, and later was a contestant on season 10 of the hit ABC reality competition Dancing with the Stars.
Canadian actor, Stephen Amell is known for his role on the television series Rent-a-Goalie, and his work co-starring opposite Shirley MacLaine and Mischa Barton (The O.C.) in the movie Closing the Ring. He also portrayed Adam during the first season of the supernatural soap Dante’s Cove, but was replaced during the show’s second season. In 2007, Stephen won a Gemini Award for his guest-starring role on Regenesis. Stephen was also nominated for a Gemini Award in the Best Ensemble Cast Category for Rent-a-Goalie. Amell’s also appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Miami and Flashpoint.
Australian born, Liam McIntyre is another model-turned-actor, beginning his modeling career in 2008. Liam has appeared in US and Australian TV shows including The Pacific on HBO and Sudden Impact.
The three finalists are being flown to New Zealand to meet the cast and crew, and a final decision is expected to be made this week. The Spartacus prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, is to begin in January.
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