Spartacus creator Stephen S DeKnight masterminds a lavish sequel which imagines an alternate timeline and history for Ashur (Nick E Tarabay). The scheming former gladiator survives his grim fate on Mount Vesuvius and helps the Romans to extinguish the slave rebellion. In return, he inherits the gladiatorial training school (ludus) belonging to Batiatus and aligns himself with fierce warrior Achillia (Tenika Davis)