The casting pool for a new Spartacus includes British actor Aiden Turner, Canadian Stephen Amell and Aussie Liam McIntyre, according to a new report.

The three are vying for the role being vacated by star Andy Whitfield, who had a relapse in his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has pulled him off the Starz project. The actors, like Whitfield was before the debut of "Spartacus," are virtual unknowns.

Turner spent six years playing Aidan Devane in the soap opera "All My Children" with smaller roles in other productions, mostly in Great Britain. Amell recently had guest stints in NBC's "Law & Order: Los Angeles" and CBS' "CSI Miami." He's also appeared in "Flashpoint," "Dante's Cove" and "Queer as Folk."

Most of McIntyre's work has been in Australian television, but he did make a recent appearance in the HBO miniseries "The Pacific."

After a highly successful first season, "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" faced an uncertain future when Whitfield was diagnosed with Stage 1 non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March. Whitfield took time off to receive medical treatment while Starz filmed a prequel to accommodate his absence.

Whitfield's anticipated return was derailed in September when his cancer returned. He announced that he would drop out of preparations for the second season in order to focus on his health. Starz was then forced to decide between recasting the role and cancelling its hit series outright.

Ultimately, the decision was made to move forward with a new Spartacus.

The choice for the new lead is expected to be made as early as next week. The announcement will be a major step in getting the series back on track and setting up a timeline for Season 2's anticipated return.

The Spartacus prequel, "Gods of the Arena," is scheduled to air in January. It will star John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett and Dustin Clare.