House Of Ashur’ Sequel Ordered By Starz

The Spartacus franchise lives on! Cable network Starz has greenlit 10 episodes of the sequel Spartacus: House of Ashur, which is described as a “erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience” and will feature Nick Tarabay, who returns as the villainous Ashur.

The series poses the question: what if Ashur 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?

Spartacus creator, writer and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight serves as showrunner and executive producer.

“A decade ago the groundbreaking original Spartacus captivated viewers worldwide and we’re excited to deliver more enthralling, high-octane drama that our fervent fans have been anticipating,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz in a statement. “It is an honor to team up with Steven again as he expands upon the storytelling within this thrilling, action-packed universe.”

Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which opened the franchise, debuted on Starz in 2010 and was followed by a prequel series chapter Spartacus: Gods of the Arena in 2011. Two additional series, Spartacus: Vengeance in 2012 and Spartacus: War of the Damned in 2013, were telecast.

“To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity,” noted Steven S. DeKnight in a statement. “I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with Starz, Lionsgate, and the incomparable Nick Tarabay.”

Spartacus: House of Ashur will be produced by Lionsgate Television for Starz.