Starz is going back to gladiator school, with the network greelighting the new series “Spartacus: House of Ashur.”
The series will see Nick Tarabay return as Ashur, while original “Spartacus” series creator Steven S. DeKnight onboard as executive producer and showrunner. The show was first reported to be in development back in February.
The official description states, “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?”
“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 at Starz. “It is an honor to team up with Steven again as he expands upon the storytelling within this thrilling, action-packed universe.”
Lionsgate Television will produce the show. Karen Bailey will oversee the series on behalf of Starz. Jocelyn Sabo will oversee for Lionsgate TV.
“Spartacus” originally debuted on Starz in 2010, with the first season officially titled “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.” It was followed by the prequel series “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” in 2011 and the subsequent seasons ““Spartacus: Vengeance” in 2012 and “Spartacus: War of the Damned” in 2013.
“To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity,” said DeKnight. “I could not be more excited to craft this next chapter in the Spartacus saga with Starz, Lionsgate, and the incomparable Nick Tarabay.”
Tarabay is repped by Verve and Goodman Genow.
Starz most recently ordered the series “The Hunting Wives” based on the book of the same name. The network also recently canceled the shows “Heels,” “Run the World,” and “Blindspotting.”
