The popular Starz series Spartacus is returning after an 11-year hiatus. The 10-episode spinoff, titled Spartacus: House of Ashur, widens the scope of the Spartacus world and follows Ashur (Nick Tarabay) in an alternate universe where he didn’t die on Mount Vesuvius and, instead, went on to be gifted a gladiator school, also known as a ludus.
Premiering in 2010, Spartacus (2010-13) ran for three seasons and spawned a sequel miniseries. It was inspired by the life of the gladiator of the same name, who, in 73 BC, led a slave revolt, known as the Third Servile War, against the Roman Republic.
A synopsis provided to Deadline reads:
“[A] history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. The series poses the question: what if Ashur, played by fan favorite Nick Tarabay, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance? And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?”
The primary cast for Spartacus: House of Ashur has already been announced, with the likes of Graham McTavish, India Shaw-Smith, Tenika Davis, Claudia Black, Ivana Baquero, Jamaica Vaughn, Jordi Webber and Leigh Grill attached to the project. It’s executively produced by Steven S. DeKnight, who created the franchise.
The aforementioned actors will portray the following characters, according to Deadline:
- McTavish as Korris – A former gladiator who won his freedom and is now working for Ashur.
- Vaughn as Hilaria – An elevated house slave who is in love with Ashur.
- Baquero as Messia – A house slave who is in love with Hilaria.
- Webber as Tarchon – One of the gladiators.
- Gill as Satyrus – The leader of the Brothers Ferox (gladiators from a rival ludus).
- Davis as Achillia – A female gladiator determined to show up her male counterparts.
- Black as Cossutia – A politician looking to bring down Ashur.
- Shaw-Smith as Viridia – Cossutia’s daughter.
Nick Tarabay will be reprising his role of the titular Ashur, a former gladiator who was forced to hang up his sword following an injury and become a henchman and bookkeeper for Quintus Lentulus Batiatus (John Hannah).
Lucy Lawless, who portrayed Lucretia, will also be making an appearance in the first episode. Deadline explains that her return “will be instrumental in setting up the ‘what if’ alternate timeline.” The character was, like Ashur, was originally killed off, but is still alive in this alternate universe.
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Production on Spartacus: House of Ashur is already underway in New Zealand. At present, there’s no word regarding an official release date.