Starz plans tribute for “Spartacus” star Andy Whitfield

Andy Whitfield - Provided Phot

Andy Whitfield, star of the first season of the Starz original series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” will be remembered on the network Oct. 2 as five episodes of the show, including the premiere and finale episodes, will be re-aired beginning at 8 p.m.

In an Associated Press report, Whitfield’s manager Sam Maydew told the news service the actor, 39, died Sept. 11 in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Whitfield was chosen after a worldwide search to fill the title role of the series was undertaken, and his fans, friends and colleagues have compared the actor’s own persona to that of the brave, honorable gladiator character he played on the show, according to a news release.

Starz is scheduled to re-broadcast the entire season of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” on Dec. 16.