I Am So Pumped Spartacus Is Coming Back To TV, And An Outlander Fan-Favorite Is Already Involved

As a big fan of the original “Spartacus” series, I’m thrilled to see the franchise returning to Starz with “Spartacus: House of Ashur.” The addition of Graham McTavish to the cast is an exciting development for me, as I’ve always enjoyed his acting in shows like “Outlander,” “The Witcher,” and “House of the Dragon.”

The original run of “Spartacus” on Starz may have ended after just over three years, but its impact on the network lingered as they went on to produce shows like “Outlander.” Now, the “Spartacus” universe is making a comeback with “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” and an actor from “Outlander” is joining the cast. Get ready for Graham McTavish to be among the new faces gracing our screens alongside Nick Tarabay in this anticipated spinoff! I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that Graham McTavish, known for his roles in “Outlander” as Dougal and in “The Witcher” and “House of the Dragon,” is now joining the cast of “House of Ashur.” He will be playing Korris, a former gladiator who has taken on the role of Ashur’s Doctore and is responsible for training the gladiators. Previously, Nick Tarabay portrayed Ashur in both “Spartacus” and “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” so it’s great to see him returning to the series as well.

Among the notable cast members joining McTavish and Tarabay in this production are Tenika Davis from “Jupiter’s Legacy,” portraying Achillia, the groundbreaking first female gladiator in the “Spartacus” universe; Jamaica Vaughan, best known for her role in “Home and Away,” appearing as a young and exalted house slave named Hilara; Ivana Baquero from “Pan’s Labyrinth,” depicting the house slave Messia; Jordi Webber of “Choose Love” as Tarchon, a headstrong and determined gladiator; Claudia Black, recognized for her role in “The Nevers,” portraying Cossutia, a powerful politician who is no ally to Ashur; India Shaw-Smith from “The Pines Still Whisper” as Viridia, the daughter of Cossutia; and Leigh Gill, famously known for her appearance in “Joker,” taking on the role of Satyrus, the leader of opposing gladiators.

From a dedicated gamer’s perspective, the new castings mark significant shifts in the storyline for “House of Ashur.” Initially, Nick Tarabay’s portrayal of Ashur was the sole confirmed casting. However, if you were an avid fan of the original “Spartacus” series (2010-2013), and haven’t followed recent developments closely, you might be perplexed by Ashur’s presence, let alone his leading role in this spin-off. After all, the character met a decisive end during that time.

In a new take on history, Spartacus: House of Ashur brings Ashur to life instead of Spartacus, with the former receiving the gladiator school that once belonged to Batiatus following his role in terminating Spartacus and the slave rebellion. Steven S. DeKnight, the creator, executive producer, and writer of Spartacus, is overseeing this project as its showrunner and executive producer. Production for the series, consisting of ten episodes, commenced in New Zealand back in 2023.

Currently, Starz has yet to reveal the release date for “Spartacus: House of Ashur.” Given that the network has a major show scheduled to resume in late 2024 – the second half of “Outlander” Season 7 – it’s unlikely that the new series will debut before then. Starz veteran Graham McTavish, who met an end in another Starz production (“House of the Dragon”), is set to return in “Outlander.” His presence on the network doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, especially considering his collaboration with Sam Heughan on the travel series “Men in Kilts.” Regardless of the fate of his “Spartacus” character, McTavish will continue gracing our screens on Starz!

Should you currently feel like re-experiencing the initial installment of “Spartacus,” complete with the “Gods of the Arena” miniseries, Hulu offers a platform for your viewing pleasure with a valid subscription.

2024-07-13 18:08

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