Spartacus: House of Ashurmay be set to continue the tale of Starz’s 2010 historical drama, but its lead has explained how it will change its key returning character. Featuring the return of Nick E. Tarabay as the duplicitous former gladiator Ashur, this new show seeks to present audiences with an alternate scenario in which his character was never killed.
While the original show saw Ashur slain on Mount Vesuvius during the events of 2012’sSpartacus: Vengeance, thepremise behindSpartacus: House of Ashurwill instead depict a world in which he successfully aided in stopping Spartacus’ slave rebellion and was gifted the gladiatorial ludus of his former master.
Speaking withScreenRant’sAsh Crossan at this year’sSan Diego Comic-Con, Tarabay was asked what it was like to reprise a character that often stirred such a strong reaction in fans. Admitting that Ashur is often a character that audiences love to hate, theSpartacus: House of Ashurstar revealed that he loves how passionate audiences can get. Check out his comments below:
[Ashur] is one of those characters you either love to hate or hate to love. And I enjoy this, I said this in an earlier interview that I love it when people get angry or upset with Ashur. I love it when they get passionate like this. Our fans are very passionate, so I love that. I love when they get pissed off and go, “Oh, f–k man, I hated you, and then now, I like you, but now I f—-ng hate you again.” I love all of this stuff.
However, Tarabay intimated that throughout this new show, viewers will also see another side to his character and will begin to root for him. He does, however, maintain that Ashur’s less amiable side continues to show through, and audiences will bounce from one extreme to the other. Check out his final comments below:
Having a second chance to bring this character back to life with all the stuff that’s already in me, and all the new things that Steven [DeKnight] has brilliantly written. You think he was delicious in the beginning, he’s even more delicious. And I think the fans are going to be confused this season, because there are oftentimes, they’re going to love him, and then times you’re going to be like, “Oh f–k, there he is again.” And that happens with every character, almost, which is the beautiful thing about our show.
What Nick Tarabay’s Comments Mean For Spartacus: The House Of Ashur
While some audiences may question the feasibility of aSpartacusrevival without the presence of its titular gladiator,this is not the first time viewers have experienced the show without the infamous historical figureat its center. The 2011 prequel series,Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, similarly shifted its focus onto Dustin Clare’s Gannicus instead.
Yet rather than introduce an entirely new lead forSpartacus: House of Ashur,showrunner Steven DeKnight has elected to resurrect one of the most polarizing characters from the show’s original run. Much as Tarabay suggests,the ever-scheming Ashur was a source of much consternation for fans, and his miraculous return is bound to evoke many impassioned responses.
While Tarabay insists that there will be moments where audiences begin to root for his character, it is still exciting to learn that he will not be forgoing all of his trademark sneakiness.
However, the enormous shift from what was essentially a minor villain to a central protagonist would naturallyrequire injecting his character with more depth than he originally possessed. While Tarabay insists that there will be moments where audiences begin to root for his character, it is still exciting to learn that he will not be forgoing all of his trademark sneakiness.
Our Take On Turning The Spotlight On Ashur
Tarabay’s Homecoming Also Hails A Return To The Show’s Original Setting
For many fans of the show, 2010’s originalSpartacus: Blood and Sandremains one of the most popular chapters in its history. While much of this is due to theoriginalSpartacusactor, Andy Whitfield, it was alsothe focus on the day-to-day dealings of a Roman gladiator schoolprior to Spartacus’ rebellion that made it so engrossing.
Spartacus: House of Ashurnot only seems set to bring back Tarabay’s villainous character, but it also promises a return to this very kind of set-up as Ashur assumes control of the former Batiatus ludus that turned Spartacus into the Champion of Capua. And, with Ashur now in charge, his penchant for scheming will likely know no bounds.
Spartacus: House of Ashur
Cast
Spartacus: House of Ashur explores an alternate reality in the Spartacus saga, where Ashur survives Mount Vesuvius and gains control of Batiatus’s gladiator school. Allying with the Romans, Ashur seeks to quash the slave rebellion and cement his power.
