By Starz has given a green light to “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” a new ten-episode drama series based in the world of the cult smash series that wrapped its run a decade ago.
Starz calls the series a “history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience” which builds on the original even as it majorly retcons at least one key death.
Nick Tarabay will reprise his role of Ashur, the clever and scheming Syrian slave who is a collaborator with the Romans to put down the slave rebellion. The character was decapitated on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius at the end of “Spartacus: Vengeance”.
The new series posits what if he hadn’t died there and had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus [John Hannah] in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and ending the slave rebellion.
Showrunner and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight will return in the same capacity for the new series which begs the question – if it can retcon that death, what other original characters (dead or alive) could come back.
DeKnight says in a statement: “To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity. I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with STARZ, Lionsgate, and the incomparable Nick Tarabay.”
The original series ran from 2010-2013, famously losing its star Andy Whitfield after the first season when he passed away from cancer. Australian actor Liam McIntyre took over the role for subsequent seasons.
Source: TV Line
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