Spartacus: House Of Ashur’s Cast And Creator Don’t Hold Back On The Starz Show’s Violence And Gore: ‘Cover Your Eyes’

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This year has already delivered plenty of dramatic TV moments, but things are about to get even more intense with the upcoming series, Spartacus: House of Ashur. The new show, which imagines what would happen if Spartacus returned from the dead, promises the same level of action and violence that fans of the original series have come to expect.

Before the premiere of Spartacus: House of Ashur on Starz, I spoke with creator Steven S. DeKnight about the new series and what viewers can anticipate from this spin-off. The original Spartacus was known for its action and even surpassed Game of Thrones in terms of on-screen deaths. DeKnight, who previously ran the Daredevil series, discussed his goal of bringing the gritty realism of ancient Rome to life.

This period in history was incredibly brutal, with widespread violence and a disregard for human life. We don’t avoid depicting that harsh reality, so viewers sensitive to violence may find some scenes disturbing.

If you’ve seen the Spartacus series, you know the characters often meet very violent ends. I’ve watched the first five episodes of House of Ashur, and some scenes were so shocking, I shouted loud enough to be heard throughout the entire house – not just the next room!

Although the show features extreme violence – someone dies in a dramatic fashion every episode – actor Nick E. Tarabay told us that it’s actually less brutal than life in ancient Rome.

The reality of life in ancient Rome was far harsher than anything we can depict. What we show on screen doesn’t fully capture the brutal conditions people actually faced. While we aim for accuracy, it’s impossible to truly represent how difficult life was back then. It was a genuinely tough era to live through.

Tarabay, who played a character killed on Mount Vesuvius in the earlier series Spartacus: Vengeance, believes the new show accurately portrays the harsh violence and brutality of the ancient world, and how that violence fuels the plot. She’s not the only one who feels this way.

What Other Members Of The Spartacus: House Of Ashur Cast Have To Say About The Violence

India Shaw-Smith, playing Viridia – the daughter of influential Roman politicians – told me that violence was common in everyday life during that period.

Yes, “House of Ashur” contains a lot of violent scenes, but that’s understandable given it’s set in ancient Rome. Violence wasn’t just present in that society, it was central to how things worked. Importantly, the violence isn’t there just for shock value; it always moves the plot forward and reveals something about the characters, who are all struggling to gain power.

Claudia Black, known for her role in Farscape, plays Cossutia, the ruthless mother of Viridia, on Spartacus: House of Ashur. When asked about the show’s graphic violence, she, like other cast members, pointed out that such brutality was common in ancient times.

The story doesn’t shy away from harsh realities and explores how every act – whether it involves intimacy or violence – deeply affects the characters and moves the plot along. It’s a very raw and emotional experience.

Black discussed the show’s daring and playful nature, explaining how it emotionally connected her to her character, Cossutia. She finished by calling the season a thrilling and unpredictable experience.

Curious about all the buzz surrounding Spartacus: House of Ashur? Tune in to Starz on Friday for the premiere of the first two episodes. After that, new episodes will be released weekly.

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2025-12-04 03:39