Does Spartacus: House of Ashur have a different storyline from its prequel? Speculations explored 

Fans were taken aback when Starz announced that their cult favorite Spartacus (this time, as Spartacus: House of Ashur) would be making a comeback. This return is enthralling not only because Spartacus: War of the Damned wrapped up the series more than ten years ago, but also because one of the most violent villains in the series will emerge from the afterlife in Spartacus: House of Ashur.

The lead is Nick Tarabay's Ashur, who was last seen in Spartacus: Vengeance being executed by Naevia on Mount Vesuvius.

But HOW? Easy: a different history!

According to showrunner Steven S. DeKnight, House of Ashur is a "what if" narrative that breaks away from the ending of the original story. In Spartacus: House of Ashur, Spartacus loses, Ashur escapes the rebels' anger, and Ashur's loyalty to Rome earns him the sought-after Ludus that Batiatus once had.

Peace is not equal to survival. The ex-gladiator will now have to deal with political danger, hatred from enslaved people, as well as doubt from the Romans.

---

A "what if" that rewrites history

House of Ashur decides to revise the narrative instead of sustaining the one War of the Damned left off. Season 2 will have changed to have Rome reward Ashur's betrayal by giving him the House of Batiatus, and Naevia will never take Ashur's head.

This difference in Spartacus: House of Ashur sets us up for another series of palace plots, which used to be the centerpiece of the OG series.

Fans on Reddit are torn. Some are overjoyed for more Spartacus, with a fan writing, "Gratitude to the gods for allowing such!" Others are skeptical, like one who commented, "It's gonna be so weird (...) watching a show about a guy who died in a previous season will be super strange."

Anyway, DeKnight's promise of "the juiciest stuff" from the original soothed some worries --- be it scheming nobles, lies, or violent ambition!

The 2011 prequel Gods of the Arena, which focused on Batiatus, illustrated how a spinoff could be as exciting as the main series. That is an example of a similar narrative risk the franchise has decided to undertake, yet again.

Ashur could go from a cunning enemy to an antihero that people "hate to love". If Spartacus: House of Ashur does well, it could reinvent one of the franchise's worst-known characters and reconnect fans to the series.

---

Spartacus: House of Ashur may be a return to form

The fine line between scheming and dishonesty made Spartacus an international hit, not just its violence or sensual scenes. Since their goal was just as convincing as Spartacus', Batiatus and Lucretia also developed a following!

By zeroing in on the lead, Spartacus: House of Ashur will build on the resilient underdog arc. They will do so by following the story of a man fighting his way up the Roman hierarchy despite being hated by almost everyone.

Returning cast members are a topic of discussion, more so after Lucy Lawless's confirmed role as Lucretia.

Fans predict flashbacks or supernatural visions of Ashur's ascent being haunted by John Hannah's Batiatus. The franchise's first female gladiator will also be seen in the series, and give its already-diverse fighters a new dimension.

Spartacus: House of Ashur is a reinvention for die-hard fans.

The question asked by House of Ashur is: what if the villain stayed alive and his ambition influenced the blood-and-sand world of Rome? Whether fans approve of Ashur's merciless charm or reject a story that rewrites his awful death will ultimately decide whether this gamble succeeds.

In any case, Starz has placed a bet on a murdered gladiator who has the potential to become an antihero this coming fall!

---

Watch Spartacus: House of Ashur on Starz.