At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2025, the cast and showrunner of Spartacus: House of Ashur promised fans a thrilling return filled with daring character arcs and intense action. The Direct was on hand as Steven S. DeKnight and the ensemble cast discussed the series' focus on historically inspired spectacle and breathing new life into this alternate story.
Spartacus: House of Ashur, releasing this winter, marks the highly anticipated return of the Spartacus franchise more than a decade after its original run. STARZ announced the series in 2023, with DeKnight returning as showrunner and Nick Tarabay reprising his role as Ashur in an alternate history where the schemer survives Mount Vesuvius. True to the franchise's roots, the revival promises the same stylized, bloody action sequences fans loved, along with a bold focus on character dynamics and spectacle.
Between DeKnight promising "everything you loved about the original Spartacus with a bunch of new stuff" and Tarabay gushing that his character's return is "so juicy" and "so good," fans have plenty to look forward to.
Even outside the franchise, Spartacus continues to echo in pop culture. Loki head writer Michael Waldron once revealed that an unused scene in the Marvel series would have featured an "I am Spartacus" moment.
From upgraded visual effects and bold new storytelling to an ensemble of complex characters, the team made it clear that House of Ashur aims to deliver both the spirit of the original and something entirely fresh.
The Spartacus: House of Ashur Hype Is Real
"It's So Juicy. It Is So Good. I Cannot Wait..."
- Question: "How did it feel to step back into the role of Ashur for this new series?"
Nick E. Tarabay: It's absolutely a privilege. It's such a fun character to go back to. I've always said I love what I love about Ashur. He was bound by nothing, unlike Spartacus... the hero always have some sort of rules that keeps him intact. Asher has no rules. Which is the best character he can ever play.
But coming this season, Mr. DeKnight here, made him even more delicious. It's so juicy. It is so good. I cannot wait. So it's as soon as Steven told me about this, it was not even a second hesitation. I was like, 'I'm down.' And what he has in this season is just quite amazing. It really is quite amazing. I think the fans are in for a treat of how good the show's going to be.
How House of Ashur Stands Out From Original Series
"It's Everything You Loved About The Original Spartacus With A Bunch Of New Stuff..."
- Question: "What can fans of the original Spartacus expect from this new series?"
Steven S. DeKnight: It's everything you loved about the original Spartacus with a bunch of new stuff that we were able to do and do things that we weren't able to do in the original show, visual effects have advanced, the show looks amazing. There's there's more humor in the show.
It's the same kind of emotion and action and sex and blood. It's everything people love about the original so we all feel very strong, and fans of the original show will really respond to it.
"We Have A Lot Of Great Characters That Can Come In..."
Nick E. Tarabay: What was beautiful about 'Spartacus' in the beginning, even though it's called 'Spartacus,' but this show is not a one man show, or not a one woman show, it's an ensemble.
Sure, we had Spartacus, but then the people around is what makes me great. And it's the same thing here. This is called the 'House of Ashur'...We have a lot of great characters that can come in, some of the people that you have here sitting with us, and there's even more.
Elevated Action in House of Ashur
"Every Fight Sequence Is Epic..."
- Question: "Which fight sequence are you most excited for fans to see in House of Ashur?"
Tenika Davis: Every fight sequence is epic. You guys, you're gonna see it all. So I wouldn't pinpoint one sequence, because there are so many of them.
The stunt department literally went over and above anything that has been seen in previous seasons on this show.
And you all are going to see something that's going to blow your mind at certain points, but also is going to be memorable, memorable for seasons to come, memorable in the hearts and minds of everyone that loves this show.
"My God, I Didn't See That Coming..."
Graham McTavish: "It's important to remember that all of those kind of fights, all of the violence, you know, joking aside, it's an accurate. Reflection of what life was like at that time, very, very cheap. Violence was, was a daily occurrence. Death was something that was stalking you all the time.
And this show reflects that so people die and you go, 'My God, I didn't see that coming.' Or something will happen, something sudden and visceral and violent, but that's, that's the world of ancient Rome.
For more TV news from SDCC, check out The Direct's conversation with the cast and crew of Resident Alien following the news of its cancellation.
