Starz has today given a series order to the original drama series Spartacus: House of Ashur - a spinoff of the network's Spartacus featuring Nick Tarabay reprising his role as the villainous Ashur. The first season will produce 10 episodes.
The series will be 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 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?
Original series creator Steven S. DeKnight will return as showrunner and executive producer. Lionsgate Television will produce.
"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. "It is an honor to team up with Steven again as he expands upon the storytelling within this thrilling, action-packed universe."
"To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity," added DeKnight. "I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with Starz, Lionsgate, and the incomparable Nick Tarabay."
Spartacus: Blood and Sand debuted on Starz in 2010 and was followed by a prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena in 2011 and two additional series Spartacus: Vengeance in 2012 and Spartacus: War of the Damned in 2013.