Wentworth Miller Eyeing Spartacus?

Ex-Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has expressed interest in taking over the title role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

As reported recently, the Starz series — which briefly considered “closing up shop” after leading man Andy Whitfield dropped out to resume treatment for his Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — is moving forward with the recast option.

But is Miller right for the part? Since his Fox series wrapped, he’s been largely out of the limelight. And when he has been spotted, he hasn’t quite been the picture of buffness that the sand-and-sandals epic demands. Of course, that’s nothing a month or two with a personal trainer couldn’t fix.

Personally, he doesn’t seem quite right to play Spartacus. My pick to replace Andy is True Blood‘s, Grant Bowler.

It's Official: 'Spartacus' Moving Forward with Recast

That this was inevitable doesn’t make it any less sad: Starz has officially started looking for an actor to replace Andy Whitfield on Spartacus.

According to the just-released casting notice, producers are searching for a Caucasian male in his mid to late 30s to play the “smart, intense, passionate” title role. Interested parties must have an authentic British accent and be prepared to sign a three-year contract.

Whitfield was forced to bow out of the show’s second season after doctors advised him to resume “aggressive treatment” for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Last week, executive producer Steven S. DeKnight said the production would either “close up shop or recast.” It looks like they’re moving forward with the latter.

No one can possibly replace Andy Whitfield. But the person who probably comes closest is Grant Bowler who started on Ugly Betty and can now be seen on True Blood.

"True Blood" Casts Hunky Vampire & Werewolf

HBO series "True Blood" is adding two more hunks to the fold for next season.

Up-and-coming actor Theo Alexander and "Ugly Betty" heartthrob Grant Bowler have landed recurring roles on Alan Ball's vampire drama.

Alexander will play Talbot, an "intensely beautiful" vampire, the boyfriend of Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare), the vampire king of Mississippi. Talbot has an acerbic sense of humor and loves to cook despite vampires' inherent lack of cooking talent.

Bowler will play werewolf Coot, the menacing ringleader of a biker gang.

Greece-born Alexander has several guest shots on his resume, appearances on "Chuck," "CSI: NY" and "Pushing Daisies" and recently booked a role in the feature "Losing Control."

New Zealander Bowler has had a recurring role on ABC's "Ugly Betty" as fugitive Connor Owens, the scheming squeeze of Wilhelmina (Vanessa Williams).

Alexander and Bowler join "Prison Break" alum Marshall Allman, who was recently cast as a regular, playing Sam's (Sam Trammell) long-lost younger brother.

Production on the "Blood's" third season started Wednesday in Los Angeles. New episodes of True Blood will be telecast in 2010.