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Starz has officially ordered a new Spartacus series called Spartacus: House of Ashur, featuring the return of the villainous character Ashur, played by Nick Tarabay.
The show will delve into a "What If" concept, imagining what would have happened if Ashur had survived and been given his own gladiator school as a reward for helping capture Spartacus. This fresh storyline has the potential to reignite the interest in gladiatorial battles and capture the exhilaration of the initial season of Spartacus, making it particularly appealing to fans of the show.
The highly anticipated revival of Spartacus has been given the green light for a new series. The exciting premise explores an unlikely scenario by bringing back an original character. Despite the death of the main hero in the original series finale, fans were eagerly awaiting the show's return. Unfortunately, progress on the revival was delayed due to strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
But there's good news. TVLine has reported that Starz has officially ordered ten episodes of the return of Spartacus. Not only that, they have announced the title and unexpected premise of the show. Titled Spartacus: House of Ashur, the new series brings back the villainous Ashur, portrayed by Nick Tarabay. In this "What If" scenario, Ashur, the former gladiator, not only survives but is rewarded with his own Ludus for aiding in the capture of Spartacus. Below is the official description:
Spartacus: House of Ashur is a mind-bending, sensual, exhilarating adventure that amplifies all the elements that made the original series an immense success. It explores the intriguing possibility of Ashur's survival after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Spartacus: Vengeance. Furthermore, it delves into the hypothetical scenario of Ashur being granted ownership of Batiatus' gladiator school, as a reward for assisting the Romans in eliminating Spartacus and quelling the slave rebellion. In the season 2 finale of Spartacus, Ashur, portrayed by Tarabay, was initially killed by Naevia, played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson.
Why Spartacus: House Of Ashur Could Return To The Original Appeal Of Spartacus: Blood & Sand
When the Spartacus revival was initially announced, many online commentators overlooked the possibility of DeKnight pursuing a hypothetical scenario. However, this unexpected reveal not only offers an intriguing underlying premise but also has the potential to bring back the intense action that made the show's first season a massive success.
While the later seasons focused on Spartacus' fight against the Romans and his slave rebellion, the original Spartacus: Blood and Sand predominantly took place in the world of gladiatorial battles and the drama surrounding the games in Roman arenas. By bringing back Tarabay's Ashur as the Dominus of his own gladiator school, this paves the way for a potential revival of this particular focus.
Furthermore, in addition to Tarabay's character being revived, there is a possibility of other important characters from the original show making a comeback. Lucretia, portrayed by Lucy Lawless, could potentially be a standout candidate, wherein Ashur not only takes over Batiatus's Ludus but also asserts his authority over his wife. Although it is still in the early stages, the prospects for the upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur appear exceedingly promising.
Editor's P/S
The revival of Spartacus with a "What If" plot twist and the return of the villainous Ashur has me filled with excitement and anticipation. The original series captivated audiences with its intense gladiatorial battles and compelling characters, and this new chapter promises to deliver more of the same. The idea of exploring what would have happened if Ashur had survived and been given his own gladiator school is an intriguing one, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
The return of Nick Tarabay as Ashur is a major draw for me. He brought such menace and charisma to the role in the original series, and I'm eager to see what he'll bring to the table this time around. The potential for other characters from the original show to make a comeback is also exciting, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the return of Lucy Lawless as Lucretia. Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic about Spartacus: House of Ashur and can't wait to see what it has in store for us.