Photo: Starz

Spartacus: House of Ashur is a different take on the Spartacus world. What if Ashur didn’t die in the original series and instead had a school for gladiators? House of Ashur explores Ashur being the underdog in the while trying to create a champion and a name for himself.

I talked to Nick E. Taraby, who plays Ashur, about how he approached Ashur this time around and his relationships with women, including Hilara and Viridia. I also talk to creator Steven S. DeKnight about about adding the female warrior, Achillia, to the universe, wanting to do that in the original series, and how Achillia and Ashur are similar.

Spartacus: House of Ashur is now streaming on Starz with new episodes Fridays.