The cunning and treacherous Ashur is back from the dead, and the show's creator promises his return will be packed with jaw-dropping moments. Spartacus: House of Ashur, a new spin-off series for MGM+, premieres on Saturday, December 6, diving into an alternate history where one of the original saga's most memorable villains cheats fate.
An Alternate Fate for a Fan-Favourite Villain
Twelve years after audiences saw the scheming Ashur, played by Nick Tarabay, meet a brutal end on Mount Vesuvius, he is resurrected in a surprising new narrative. In this revised timeline, his encounter with Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) in the underworld alters his destiny completely. Not only does he survive the attack that originally killed him, but he is also rewarded by the Romans with his own gladiator school for his role in capturing Spartacus.
Series creator Steven DeKnight recently opened up about the bold new direction, hinting that the show will deliver the epic scale and raw emotion fans expect. "Many, many shocking moments, that's all I can say," DeKnight teased. "So many twists and turns, surprises and things people will never see coming."
Season Two Awaits Greenlight
In a significant reveal, DeKnight confirmed that plans for the future are already firmly in place. He shared that scripts for a second season of House of Ashur are fully written and "ready to go", contingent on the success of the debut season. "We're right on the cusp [of a second season], we just need people to show up for this season," he stated. "If this season is a success, we're ready to go. We've got some absolutely incredible stuff planned for season two."
While the series hinges on the return of Tarabay and a brief appearance by Lawless, it introduces a host of new faces to the brutal world of ancient Rome. The fresh ensemble cast includes Graham McTavish (Outlander), Tenika Davis (Wrong Turn), and Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1).
The Signature Spartacus Style Returns
DeKnight assured fans that the spin-off will retain the core elements that made the original series a hit. Alongside the promised narrative shocks, viewers can anticipate the familiar, visceral blend of action and drama. "And along with that, the usual bread and butter of Spartacus, it's sexy, it's brutal, bloody but there's also a lot of heart and romance," he added.
Spartacus: House of Ashur promises to re-open the bloody arena doors, offering a tantalising 'what if' scenario that reshapes the legacy of one of television's most infamous antagonists. All episodes arrive on MGM+ this weekend.
