‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ Cast & Character Guide

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More than a decade after the finale of Spartacus, Starz is bringing the story back with Spartacus: House of Ashur on December 5, 2025. This new series imagines a different outcome to the original story, where Ashur lives through the Battle of Mount Vesuvius and eventually takes over his mentor’s gladiator school. Fans will be happy to hear that Steven DeKnight, the creator and showrunner of the original Spartacus series, is also involved in this sequel.

Fans will be thrilled to see Nick E. Tarabay return as Ashur! The Lebanese-American actor will have a leading role this season, picking up the story after the events of Spartacus and the Roman victory over the slave rebellion. With a 10-episode first season planned for Spartacus: House of Ashur, now is the perfect time to get to know the characters and the talented actors bringing them to life.

Nick E. Tarabay Returns as Ashur


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Nick E. Tarabay, known for playing Ashur in the Starz series Spartacus (2010-2012) across 27 episodes, is back as the lead in the show’s sequel, House of Ashur. In the original series, his character, Ashur, began as a slave and gladiator. After suffering a severe injury and betrayal by Crixis (Manu Bennett), he sided with the Romans and dedicated himself to stopping Spartacus’s rebellion, becoming a dangerous enemy to the rebel leader.

The novel House of Ashur takes a fictional approach to history, reimagining the life of its main character. It explores what might have happened if Ashur had lived through the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and taken over his mentor Quintus Lentulus Batiatus’s gladiator school. As the new owner, Ashur establishes a gladiatorial arena and notably introduces the first female gladiator, creating a brutal and extravagant spectacle for the entertainment of Capua’s elite.

Lucy Lawless Reprises Her Role as Lucretia


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Besides Tarabay, Lucy Lawless, best known as Xena from Xena: Warrior Princess, is the only actor from the original Spartacus series to return for House of Ashur. She once again plays Lucretia, the wife of Quintus Lentulus Batiatus (played by John Hannah). Lucretia starts the story in the first episode of House of Ashur, appearing after Ashur dies and guiding him to Capua to run her husband’s gladiator school in a world separate from the past.

Tenika Davis Plays Achillia


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Tenika Davis, known for her roles in “Beacon 23” and “It: Welcome to Derry,” stars as Achillia in “House of Ashur.” Achillia is a groundbreaking gladiator – the first woman to fight to the death in Ashur’s arena. Haunted by a secret past, she’s determined to get revenge and is set to become a major figure in the new gladiator school in Capua, paving the way for other women to become fighters.

Graham McTavish Plays Korris


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Graham McTavish, known for his roles in The Witcher and The Hobbit films, plays Korris, a seasoned gladiator who earned his freedom through years of fighting. Now, Korris uses his skills as a gladiator trainer – known as a ‘Doctore’ – at a school in Ashur. He’s a strong and honorable man, as dangerous as he is knowledgeable, and always follows the gladiator’s code.

Jordi Webber Plays Tarchon


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Jordi Webber, known for his roles in “Head High” and “Home and Away,” plays Tarchon in “House of Ashur.” Tarchon is a determined young gladiator who’s fighting for his freedom and hoping to become famous. He’s courageous, confident, and charismatic, but he’s always compared to his father, Celadus. When “House of Ashur” debuts on December 5, 2025, Tarchon will have the chance to prove himself as a skilled fighter.

Dan Hammill Plays Celadus


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Dani Hammill (known for roles in Love Child and House Husbands) plays Celadus, a veteran gladiator who acts as a father figure to the rising star Tarchon. Celadus is a kind and steady man deeply loyal to his fellow gladiators. As his own fighting abilities decline, he finds himself living through his gifted son’s successes.

Ivanna Baquero & Jamaica Vaughan as Messia and Hilara


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Ivanna Baquero (known for Pan’s Labyrinth and High Seas) and Jamaica Vaughan (from Home and Away and 800 Words) play Messia and Hilara, two alluring house slaves who try to attract the attention of Ashur. Messia appears gentle and compliant, but secretly possesses a passionate side.

Hilara enjoys a privileged position as a house slave and becomes passionately infatuated with Ashur, desperately trying to win his affection. Alongside the brutal gladiator fights, Hilara and the cunning, attractive Messia will add a layer of erotic tension and intrigue to the series.

Supporting Cast Members in ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’


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In addition to the main actors, Spartacus: House of Ashur has a large supporting cast. Key players beyond the leads are:

  • 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.

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2025-12-01 02:49