Over a decade after its conclusion, Spartacus (2010) returns, only this time it looks a little different. Instead of picking up from the series' third and final season, titled Spartacus: War of the Damned, the universe expansion comes in the form of a sequel with a "what if" approach. Essentially, series creator Steven S. DeKnight delivers an alternate timeline dubbed Spartacus: House of Ashur, which posits what would happen if Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) survived his encounter with Naevia (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) on Mount Vesuvius.
It's an interesting idea, especially for longtime Spartacus fans eager to see the Starz series return in any form. However, those hoping Lucy Lawless' Lucretia would also get the revival treatment, think again. While Lawless makes an appearance in the first episode, House of Ashur regulates her role to a guest appearance, which, personally, feels like a big mistake.
Lucretia Deserved A Big' House Of Ashur' Comeback
With House of Ashur playing in fantasy and twisting fate, any Spartacus character could earn a second chance from the gods. Considering Ashur dies before Lucretia, not bringing her back into the fold feels a bit puzzling. After all, her relationship with Ashur ranks among the most complex in the show, with the equally manipulative duo forming an alliance based on mutual benefits before spiraling into full-blown enemies. Emphasis on the "full-blown."
Watching Lucretia go head-to-head with Ashur again after how he treated her in Vengeance would have been particularly satisfying. So would an alternate timeline where Lucretia got to keep Ilithyia's baby. I'm picturing another "what if" scenario where they both live, and a time jump accounts for the actors' ages and allows Lucretia's "son" to get sucked into the fight against Ashur, too.
Right now, though, House of Ashur lacks a wickedly dark female character like Lucretia (at least so far), with the show's female characters feeling a bit overlooked at times. Lawless returning to the role would have added the sharp-witted, slow-plotting feminine villainy that made her such an intriguing character in Spartacus. Not only that, but Lawless was one of the biggest lures of the original series, and a more substantial role in House of Ashur would've gone a long way in enticing viewers. Instead, her guest appearance feels like nothing more than a marketing ploy.
Why Lucy Lawless Only Cameoed In 'House Of Ashur'
Perhaps "marketing ploy" feels like too harsh a word. However, Lucretia and Ashur's encounter in House of Ashur was released ahead of the series premiere as a sure-fire way to drum up anticipation. As Steven S. DeKnight told TV Insider, "It was absolutely vital [for Lawless to return]. Ashur and Lucretia were so tied together in that season of Vengenace…" DeKnight continues to explain that "working schedules" got in the way, and for "about a month," he wasn't sure if Lawless would be available at all. Still, finding out that scene is pretty much the extent of her inclusion in the sequel feels disappointing, to say the least.
It's unclear if Lucretia would have played a bigger role had Lawless' availability been different. Obviously, the show is titled House of Ashur, not House of Lucretia, so her role may have fallen to support anyway. That said, it would have been nice to see Lawless back in the gowns and dress, stalking around the ludus and plotting revenge, especially as a middle-aged woman, considering we still don't get enough of that representation on screen.
Is 'Spartacus: House Of Ashur' Worth Watching?
If you're a longtime fan of Spartacus, then this was made for you—yes, you specifically. While the "what if" premise allows new fans to also step into the world with fresh eyes, the emotional impact and love/hate attachment to Ashur definitely won't hit quite the same, even with Lucretia's cameo doubling as a recap. My best advice is to watch the original series, including the prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, before jumping into House of Ashur. Debuting to an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and since dropping to the high 90s, the sequel series manages to deliver the same character-driven stories, balanced by a good heaping of NSFW material, to keep you invested in what comes next. If stories about the brutality of ancient Rome excite you, or you like the messy politics and squabbling for power in series like Game of Thrones (2011), Spartacus and House of Ashur will quickly become new favorites.
