Starz's upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur series will bring back some familiar faces, but there's one new actor who will actually portray a returning character.
Spartacus has consistently maintained a loyal cult following over the past 15 years. The series began in 2010 and ran three seasons with a six-episode prequel series, Gods of the Arena. It was based on the historical character of the slave-turned-gladiator (originally played by Andy Whitfield, then Liam McIntyre) who breaks free and organizes a rebellion against Rome.
Among the various characters was Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay), a former slave who, following an injury, earned his freedom. A rather slimy conniver always ready to sell out anyone to save his own skin, Ashur seemingly met his end in season 2. This new series imagines that Ashur survived, aided the Romans in putting down Spartacus' rebellion, and was rewarded with his own gladiator house.
Julius Caesar is recast in Spartacus: House of Ashur
The show comes from Steven DeKnight, who created the original series. While many of the original Spartacus characters didn't survive that series' end, it will bring in Julius Caesar. The future famed Roman general appeared in the show's third season, played by Todd Lasance, and will be coming into this new show. However, it won't be Lasance playing him.
In an exclusive peek at Spartacus: House of Ashur for Entertainment Weekly, DeKnight revealed that the production wanted Lasance to return for the new series, and the actor was open to it. Unfortunately, however, he was busy starring in NCIS: Sydney, and the schedules couldn't line up.
"We went 'round and 'round trying to get our schedules to align, but they were shooting basically at the same time we were," DeKnight explained. "It broke all of our hearts, including his. We're crazy happy for him. We just really wished he could have come back. I know he wanted to do it, but, yeah, that's the problem with too much success."
This isn't the first time Spartacus has had to recast a role. The most famous case is Andy Whitfield becoming ill with cancer right after season 1 (the actor tragically passed away in 2011), with Liam McIntyre taking over the part. So once more, DeKnight had to handle a new actor in a familiar part.
Thus, Jackson Gallagher (who, coincidentally, appeared on an NCIS: Sydney episode) will take over the role of Caesar. The show doesn't portray him as the established future ruler of Rome, but rather as a wealthy man married to Cornelia (played by DeKnight's real-life wife, Jaime Slater), who comes from a powerful family.
"They are co-conspirators. They are working 100 percent together," DeKnight explained. "She wants to use all of her money and her influence in her name to help him rise. In her mind, and Caesar certainly agrees, he's the guy that should be taking over Rome."
While stepping into Lasance's shoes is daunting, Gallagher seems set for the part and with him in the role, Spartacus: House of Ashur looks to continue the epic run of that beloved series as a fan favorite hit.
Spartacus is streaming on Starz and Tubi, while Spartacus: House of Ashur debuts this fall.