12 years after Spartacus ended with Season 4’s War of the Damned, Starz is opening the doors to Spartacus: House of Ashur on December 5, 2025. The sword-and-sandal sequel presents an alternate history in which Ashur survived the Battle of Mount Vesuvius and lived long enough to inherit his master’s training dojo, or Ludus. Fortunately, those familiar with the original Spartacus TV series will be delighted to know that series creator and showrunner Steven DeKnight has returned for the upcoming sequel.
Even more rewarding, Lebanese-American actor Nick E. Tarabay has signed on to reprise his role of Ashur, this time taking center stage in the aftermath of helping the Romans defeat the slave uprising led by Spartacus. With 10 episodes slated for Season 1, now’s the time to become familiar with the cast of characters and the superb actors cast to play them in Spartacus: House of Ashur.
Nick E. Tarabay Returns as Ashur
After portraying Ashur in 27 episodes of Spartacus from 2010 to 2012, Nick E. Tarabay (Pacific Rim: Uprising, Star Trek Into Darkness) has returned for the lead role in Starz’s action drama sequel, House of Ashur. In the original series, Ashur was a slave and gladiator who betrayed his kind after being brutally injured and disabled by Crixis (Manu Bennett). Upon allying with the Romans, Ashur vowed to help end the slave rebellion led by Spartacus, becoming one of Spartacus’ most treacherous and formidable adversaries.
In House of Ashur, the title character’s historical fate is rewritten for dramatic purposes. The series imagines what would have become of Ashur if he had survived the Battle of Mount Vesuvius and inherited a training Ludus from his mentor, Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. Ashur becomes the head of the new gladiatorial arena and empowers the first female gladiatrix, sparking a spectacular, ultra-violent bloodsport to entertain Capua’s wealthiest and most privileged citizens.
Lucy Lawless Reprises Her Role as Lucretia
Aside from Tarabay, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) is the only original Spartacus character to reprise her role in House of Ashur. Lawless portrays Lucretia once more, the wife of Ashur’s mentor, Quintus Lentulus Batiatus (John Hannah). Lucretia initiates the plot in the opening episode of House of Ashur, appearing in the hereafter after Ashur’s death and beckoning him to Capua to take over her husband’s gladiator school in a “new reality uncoupled from history.”
Tenika Davis Plays Achillia
Tenika Davis (Beacon 23, It: Welcome to Derry) plays Achillia in House of Ashur, the first female gladiator (gladiatrix) who fights to the death in front of rabid spectators in the fighting arena inherited by Ashur. Driven to avenge the guilt she carries from her mysterious past, Achillia is poised to make a massive impact on Ashur’s newly minted Ludus in Capua, opening the door for other female fighters to follow her path and flourish.
Graham McTavish Plays Korris
Graham McTavish (The Witcher, The Hobbit franchise) plays Korris, a veteran gladiator and former slave who won his freedom by triumphing in the arena. Korris uses his expertise as a “Doctore,” or gladiator trainer, in Ashur’s gladiator school. A tough-minded brute of a man who remains loyal to the gladiator code of honor, Korris is as deadly as he is wise.
Jordi Webber Plays Tarchon
Jordi Webber (Head High, Home and Away) portrays Tarchon in House of Ashur, a confident young gladiator trying to win his freedom and make a name for himself in the public court. Brave, cocky, charming, yet living in the shadow of his father, Celadus, Tarchon must prove his gladiatorial might when House of Ashur premieres on December 5, 2025.
Dan Hammill Plays Celadus
Seen above left, Dani Hammill (Love Child, House Husbands) plays Celadus, an aging gladiator and the protective father of the young hotshot gladiator Tarchon. Kind, measured, and fiercely devoted to his fellow fighters, Celadus begins to live vicariously through his talented son after witnessing his own skills recede over time.
Ivanna Baquero & Jamaica Vaughan as Messia and Hilara
Ivanna Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth, High Seas) and Jamaica Vaughan (Home and Away, 800 Words) portray Messia and Hilara, a pair of sensual house slaves attempting to get close to Ashur. Messia is overtly soft-spoken and obedient, yet hides a well of searing carnality below the surface.
Meanwhile, Hilara holds a superior position to Messia as a favored house slave who falls deeply in love with Ashur and does everything in her power to make him feel the same about her. Shrewd, sexy, and seductive, Messia and Hilara will help the show tap into its erotic thriller elements in between the eye-popping gladiatorial carnage.
Supporting Cast Members in ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’
Beyond the main cast, Spartacus: House of Ashur features a sizable ensemble. The most significant supporting players include:
- Andrew McFarlane (Glitch, The Newsreader) as Gabinius, a calculating, power-hungry Roman Senator who often frequents the gladiator battles for entertainment to keep his mind off an impending civil war.
- Claudia Black (The Nevers, Pitch Black) as Cossutia, Gabinius’s scheming wife who hails from a wealthy Roman background. With high intelligence and low morals, Cossutia isn’t afraid to stab an enemy in the back if it’s for the greater good of her family.
- India Shaw-Smith (The Magicians, Supernatural) as Viridia, the pure and innocent teenage daughter of Gabinius and Cossutia, who does her best to remain untainted in a world defined by death, betrayal, and deception.
- Leigh Gill (Game of Thrones, Joker) as Satyrus, a gladiator for the rival House of Proculus and the besotted leader of the Ferox brothers, a deadly gladiator duo known for their destructive methods.
- Simon Arblaster (Invasion, Shortland Street) as Proculus, the head of the rival gladiator school, House of Proculus, who becomes threatened by Ashur when his Ludus becomes successful.
- Joel Abadal (Zorro) as Helios.
- Evander Brown (We Are Still Here) as Ephesius.
- Cameron Rhodes (The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Uvidus.
- Daniel Bos (Vagabond) as Balbus.
- Mikey Thompson (Get Santa) as Musicus.
- Jordan Selwyn (Millennial Jenny) as Gabinius’s Messenger.
- Stephen Madsen (Home and Away) as Creticus.
- Eden Hart (Sweet Tooth) as Elata.
Spartacus: House of Ashur is available to stream on Starz on December 5, 2025.
- Release Date
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December 5, 2025
- Network
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Starz
- Directors
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Rick Jacobson