Meet the Real-Life Loves of the ‘Spartacus’ Cast
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/spartacus-real-life-loves-liam-mcintyre-erin-hasan-andy-whitfield-vashti-whitfield-092525-5f92abdb804f4bc4b1fb6a18e3a4ca52.jpg)
Love and loss ignited the flames of rebellion in Starz’s Spartacus.
Created by Stephen S. DeKnight, Spartacus — which ran for four seasons from 2010 to 2013 and landed on Netflix on Sept. 22 — reimagines the tale of the Thracian warrior whose fight against Rome was born out of love and devastating loss.
Betrayed by Roman leaders and torn from his wife, Sura (Erin Cummings), Spartacus (Andy Whitfield and Liam McIntyre) is sold into slavery and forced into the blood-soaked world of gladiatorial combat. Her death at Rome’s hands becomes the catalyst for his transformation from a grieving husband to a fearless champion of the arena — and ultimately the leader of a massive slave rebellion.
Sadly, shortly after season 1 wrapped, Andy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Whitfield ultimately decided to step away from the role of Spartacus in 2011, and McIntyre was cast in his place. Andy, who was 39 years old, died that same year.
“There’s a word in Portuguese, Saudade. It means a deep longing for what is gone, a love that remains long after absence. It is grief and joy tangled together, missing and remembering in the same breath,” his wife Vashti Whitfield wrote on Instagram on the 14th anniversary of her husband’s death in 2025.
Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of the Spartacus cast.
Andy Whitfield and Vashti Whitfield
Gaye Gerard/Getty
Andy, who played Spartacus in season 1, married his wife, Vashti, in 2001. The couple welcomed two children before he died of cancer on Sept. 11, 2011.
In 2015, Andy’s story was told in the crowd-funded documentary Be Here Now. Vashti played a central role in the film, sharing her perspective as a partner and caregiver.
Liam McIntyre and Erin McIntyre
Gregg DeGuire/Getty
Liam, who succeeded Whitfield as Spartacus, wed opera singer and actress Erin McIntyre (née Hasan) in January 2014.
Celebrating his wife’s birthday on Instagram in September 2025, McIntyre wrote, “To the love of my life. Thank you for all that you are. I’m so grateful you’re mine.”
The couple share a son, Harry, and a daughter, Scarlett.
Lucy Lawless and Rob Tapert
Jesse Grant/Getty
Lucy Lawless, who depicted Lucretia, the wife of Batiatus, is married to producer Rob Tapert.
The pair wed in 1998 and went on to welcome two children, sons Julius and Judah. Lawless also has a daughter, Daisy, from her first marriage to Garth Lawless, who is now working in the film industry, per Woman’s Day.
In January 2006, she shared the secret to her long-lasting relationship with OK!.
“Everybody I know that is in the industry and has a great relationship doesn’t take the Hollywood thing too seriously,” she said. “We’re entertaining people. At the end of the day, a really loving family life is what matters.”
Dustin Clare and Camille Keenan
Mike Flokis/Getty
Dustin Clare, who played gladiator Gannicus, married actress Camille Keenan in 2002, per Domain. They live in Australia with their three children.
“My home is a great metaphor for my relationship with Camille and our family,” he told the outlet in September 2020. “It’s always growing, changing and evolving.”
John Hannah and Joanna Roth
Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
John Hannah, who portrayed Batiatus, met his wife, Danish-British actress Joanna Roth, at London’s National Theatre, where they were performing in a play together, he told The Guardian in October 2014.
They wed in 1996 and went on to welcome twins Gabriel and Astrid.
“I don’t know what our [marriage] secret is. I guess we got lucky with our choices,” Hannah told the outlet. “But there’s been hardships and ups and downs and all of that. There were times we could have walked away and times we kind of did, but ultimately we’ve come out the other side, and we’re better for that.”
Leslie-Ann Brandt and Chris Payne Gilbert
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty
Leslie-Ann Brandt, who played Naevia, has been married to her husband, actor Chris Payne Gilbert, since 2015.
“Annie… how did we ever get here, where did you come from, where you go I will always want to go,” Gilbert wrote on Instagram in honor of the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary in September 2025. “I know what it feels like to love.”
Together, Brandt and the 10 Items or Less star are raising one son.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
