By Lucas Hill-Paul

Copyright manchestereveningnews

The latest instalment in a beloved historical drama series has finally secured a release date, over a decade since the previous chapter concluded. After Spartacus: War of the Damned aired its finale in 2013, US broadcaster Starz has confirmed that the upcoming entry, Spartacus: House of Ashur, will debut shortly. Broadcasting on MGM+ across the UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Belgium, this fresh chapter promises to be “boldly outrageous” whilst delivering “intensity, passion and fierce rivalries”. The series launches with a double-episode premiere on Saturday, 6th December, before continuing on a weekly basis. House of Ashur features a stellar ensemble cast, most notably Nick E Tarabay returning to his character Ashur from earlier seasons, reports the Mirror . This instalment presents an alternate historical timeline, examining what might have unfolded had Ashur survived and gained Roman favour rather than meeting his end at the hands of Naevia (portrayed by Cynthia Addai-Robinson) in Spartacus: Vengeance. Starz’s initial preview has provided audiences with a comprehensive glimpse of the cast, promising abundant bloody combat, passionate romance and compelling drama ahead. McTavish from Outlander joins Tarabay in the cast, appearing almost unrecognisable from his beloved portrayal of Dougal MacKenzie, now clad in gladiatorial gear with flowing locks. A synopsis for the forthcoming sequel series states: “Spartacus: House of Ashur is a thrilling, erotic, history-bending, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. “What if Ashur had lived, and the Romans rewarded his treachery with the gladiator school where he once bled? Welcome to the House of Ashur. “No longer a slave, Ashur has clawed his way to power, owning the same ludus that once owned him. “But ruling a band of merciless gladiators is child’s play compared to surviving the savage world of Roman politics – a cutthroat game in which betrayal isn’t a sin, it’s currency. “He flips tradition on its head by unleashing Achillia, a fierce and powerful gladiatrix eager to prove herself worthy in a man’s world. “Together, they ignite a new kind of spectacle that shocks, disrupts and offends the elite with every drop of blood.” Appearing alongside Tarabay are franchise newcomers McTavish as Korris, Tenika Davis as Achillia and Jordi Webber as Tarchon. Additional cast members feature Jamaica Vaughan as Hilara, Ivana Baquero as Messia, Claudia Black as Cossutia, India Shaw-Smith as Viridia, Jackson Gallagher as Caesar, Jaime Slater as Cornelia, and Leigh Gill as Satyrus. Spartacus originator Steven S DeKnight is back as showrunner and executive producer. Rick Jacobson (Ash vs. Evil Dead, The Royal Treatment) and Aaron Helbing (The Flash, Mortal Kombat: Legacy) will also act as executive producers. Spartacus: House of Ashur premieres Saturday, 6th December on MGM+.