Diksha Sundriyal
Starz’s ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur‘ presents an alternate timeline where Ashur wasn’t beheaded on Mount Vesuvius and became a prominent figure in ensuring the defeat of Spartacus and his rebellious forces. Over the course of ten episodes, the first season presents a world where Ashur finally has what he always wanted, but getting something and keeping it are two very different things. His ambition leads him down a rather questionable road, and by the end of the season, we see a familiar side of him, which also throws him into more trouble.
The Season 1 finale leaves the audience with a lot of questions, and so far, the second season hasn’t been renewed. Given the love and popularity the show has received, it is fair to assume that the renewal is not far away. Creator Steven S. DeKnight has prepared for that possibility by writing the second season. With that in mind, if ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ is greenlit for a second season, we expect it to premiere sometime in 2027.
Spartacus: House of Ashur Season 2 Will Focus on Ashur’s Unraveling
In ‘Spartacus,’ Ashur is established as a truly despicable character with no redeeming quality. Each step he takes is in service of his own interests, and it seems that deception and manipulation are all he knows. The spinoff gives him a chance to break out of that mould. In ‘House of Ashur,’ he tries to do things the right way, especially now that he has a ludus of his own. He tries to do it as the Romans do, but at every step, he is reminded of his status as an outsider. He is underestimated and looked down at because of his Syrian origins, and while he tries to swallow that disrespect in the hopes of advancing his cause, he can only do it for so long.
At the end of Season 1, he completely loses his mind and attacks and kills Julius Caesar. It is a moment of pure impulse, because he knows the consequences of killing someone like Caesar. The second season will focus on him trying to keep his actions a secret, while also dealing with the aftermath of Caesar’s death and what it bodes for Rome. The person that he needs to look out for is Caesar’s wife, Cornelia, who will want to get to the bottom of her husband’s murder. At the same time, she will also find herself in a bind without him and might have to form a connection with another powerful Roman to ensure she doesn’t lose her position of power and influence.
Another thing that the second season will focus on is the gladiators, particularly the ones in Ashur’s ludus. Korris, Achilia, and Tarchon will remain at the center of the story, particularly with Achilia and Tarchon hooking up in the Season 1 finale. Their new dynamic will be explored in greater depth, while Korris’ journey, especially in matters of the heart, will also be a major focus. Speaking of romantic entanglements, it will be interesting to see how things progress between Ashur and Viridia, and what the arrival of her uncle, Servius, bodes for her and her mother, Cossutia. All in all, there are a lot of bases to cover, and the second season has its hands full with all the drama and the violence it is primed for.
Spartacus: House of Ashur Season 2 Will be a Mix of Old and New Faces
‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ introduces a host of new characters, but a lot of them don’t survive by the end of the season. This means that the second season will offer fresh faces, some of whom are bound to play a significant role in deciding Ashur’s future. It remains to be seen what new characters Steven DeKnight throws at the audience, but clearly, quite a few of them will be antagonistic towards the protagonist. Meanwhile, the regular cast members will remain a part of the show. Nick E. Tarabay will return as Ashur, with Graham McTavish as Korris, Tenika Davis as Achillia, and Jordi Webber as Tarchon.
The second season will also mark the return of Claudia Black as Cossutia, India Shaw-Smith as Viridia, Jamaica Vaughan as Hilara, and Ivana Baquero as Messia. Caesar’s death means Jackson Gallagher might not be returning for the next season. However, he might have cameo appearances, either to give the audience a sense of Caesar’s past, or to give Ashur a ghost on his shoulder nudging him towards his downfall. While Caesar is no more, his wife Cornelia is still around, which means Jaime Slater will be back. While no other confirmations have been made about new cast members, there is one in particular who might show up in the second season.
Throughout the first season, Crassus’ name is thrown around a lot. So, even though he doesn’t appear in the season, he remains a vital force, influencing the events of the story. A similar thing happened in ‘Spartacus’ as well, where Crassus didn’t appear until the final season of the show, despite being mentioned repeatedly in the previous seasons. The death of Caesar could be the thing that pushes Crassus to come to Capua and take stock of the situation, which could prove beneficial Ashur. If that happens, Simon Merrells will be reprising his role from ‘Spartacus,’ stirring the pot and thickening the plot even more.
Read More: Who Plays Julius Caesar in Spartacus: House of Ashur? Was He Recast?
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