Nick E Tarabay in Spartacus House of Ashur
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Tatiana Hullender
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Jennifer Chu
Published Feb 13, 2026, 10:40 PM EST
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Spartacus: House of Ashur's season 1 finale shocked viewers with a brutal twist. The last episode, "Hail Caesar," breaks off into its own alternate timeline by having Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) take the life of Julius Caesar (Jackson Gallagher), ensuring that season 2 will be unlike any story the audience has ever heard before about these iconic historical figures.
Caesar wasn't the only character who died in Spartacus: House of Ashur's explosive first season. Celadus (Dan Hamil) also meets his demise in episode 8. He was forced to fight in the arena in place of Achillia (Tenika Davis) after she got injured. Unfortunately, he was outmatched and ended up getting killed by an unnamed female Scythian gladiator.
ScreenRant's Tatiana Hullender interviewed Steven S. DeKnight and Davis for the Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 finale. During the discussion, the duo break down the brutal final moments of the first chapter.
Achillia's Final Battle In Spartacus: House of Ashur
Davis described the filming of her showdown against the Scythian. The actor compared the battle to David and Goliath's story. She explained the symbolic weight of her final blow. She said that it represented more than just a physical victory. It's about Achillia’s breaking free from fear and taking back control of her own life.
I feel like we all know that story of David and Goliath, right? You've always got this big giant in front of you that's supposed to be scary and intimidating, so that blow is a lot more than chopping off a head. It is the moment that she says, "I refuse to have this thing that's big and scary hold me back in any way." It's that moment where she's finally able to say, "I cut off the past and everything it's limiting me from." That blow is the blow of her strength and her power coming to fruition, and her understanding that she's embarking on a brand-new journey on her terms.
Achillia's Greif Unlocked Her Strength
Tenika Davis as Achillia looking determined in Spartacus House of Ashur
Davis shared her proudest moments from the first season. She revealed that Achillia confronting the terrifying Ammonious in episode 5 was particularly meaningful. She explained that filming the intense fight allowed her to see not only the character's strength and resilience but also her own. The actor's stepfather died while she was filming the scene, but she powered through and did an incredible job with the scene.
I think there have been several proudest moments, but one is episode 5, where Achillia was terrified seeing that Ammonious come out. I think everybody knows that fear, where it's like, "Wait a minute, we didn't prepare for this at all!" Going through that fight, I got to find her strength, her power, her resilience, and her ability not to let the past hold her down. In that moment, she looks down, and she has that flashback image of something from her past, but is still able to stand up and overcome. That was the proudest moment that I've had on the set because my stepfather actually passed away during filming, and it was while I was filming those episodes. To be able to stand up and be proud and fight through that experience, just as my character fought through the difficult circumstances, was the moment that really hit the loudest and the hardest for me in the best way possible.
Davis also spoke about the impact of Celadus’ death on Achillia. She said that the loss was devastating for her character. Celadus was a source of stability for her, and it was a huge blow to have her partner snatched away from her. However, the actor added that the tragedy was also an important part of her journey of self-discovery.
ScreenRant: Celadus’ death was a huge blow for Achillia. How did she feel, not being there when it happened and not getting to say goodbye?
Tenika Davis: I'm still hit by the death of Celadus on that show because her bonding with him and having that relationship was a layer in her personality that she didn't expect. That's where she found her vulnerability, her ability to be able to feel a little bit safe, her ability to be able to feel sexual and feminine before dealing with something eminently dangerous and scary. For her to lose the character that embodied all of that for her was devastating. But it's also just one more obstacle she'll have to overcome in order to find her inner strength. Sometimes, we project our strength onto other people when we need to find that inside. I think that she's still going on that journey to find out where those pieces lie within her.
ScreenRant: The moment of passion (albeit born from grief) between Achillia and Tarchon was rather unexpected. What was going through her mind in that moment, and what was your approach to filming the scene?
Tenika Davis: Grieving is such a difficult process. When I look at Achillia's arc, it's about reclaiming agency and rewriting the narrative. And, boy, does she do that in that moment. On the surface level, both of them are grieving and have gone through something traumatic. They've spent a season hating the living crap out of each other as antagonists, but I think that sometimes the things that we hate the most are actually the parts of ourselves that we haven't really come to terms with yet. So, I think that's more of a mutual understanding, where both of them realize that this judgment and this hatred are fueled by something much deeper. I think that's where the passion comes from, because they're able to really see each other for the first time. It was hard filming that moment with Tarchon. I've never had a more animalistic, passionate sex scene ever in my career, but I'm grateful to Jordi Webber for going to that place with me and creating such a safe container so that we could experience that together. It's a testament to him as an actor that we were able to create the fullness of that moment together.
ScreenRant: Do you think there could be a long-term relationship in store for them, or will the shadow of Celadus always be between them?
Tenika Davis: Oh, you're just going to have to continue to watch the show to figure that one out. That's the carrot that you're dangling in front of me right now! I am excited to find out. I think, as actors, we're always discovering things and always exploring where our characters are going to go. But it's true to life that we don't always know what's going to happen tomorrow, and we have no idea what's going to happen between these two. People just have to keep on watching the show to find out!
ScreenRant: What are the most important ways Ashur and Achillia’s dynamic has evolved from the start of the season to the finale?
Tenika Davis: I think they started off this journey with Asher seeing something in Achillia that she really didn't even see in herself: the strength and power within herself to become the goddess of death. By the end, they're not equals, but they have an understanding of their parallel journeys. It's almost like a meeting of two minds that see themselves as underdogs who rise above and figure out a way to navigate very challenging circumstances and redefine themselves in a world that didn't really want them. I think that's what their journey will continue to be, because they have an understanding of just why they have chosen to go on this path together.
ScreenRant: When you read the script, what did you think of the moment that Ashur kills Caesar as the ending point?
Tenika Davis: The way that it was cutting between them? I thought that, "Oh, my gosh!" For him to take down that character reveals how literally every single person on the show is fighting for their survival. It is a story of resilience and survival and reclaiming your power, so that's what I saw it as. I saw Asher reclaiming his power and saying, "You're not going to talk crap about me anymore. You're not going to put me in these scenarios. I'm going to figure out a way to how to rise above that." So, I'm interested to see where that goes.
DeKnight Breaks Down Major Changes in Spartacus: House of Ashur Season 1
Nick E Tarabay as Ashur looking out at fighting gladiators in Spartacus House of Ashur
DeKnight, creator of Spartacus: House of Ashur, revealed that one of the biggest changes in the show involved Tarchon and Celadus. Originally, the two weren't written as father and son. Starz actually suggested the idea. And, as a result, the dynamic between the characters changed entirely. He explained that this shift added more depth to the story. He also addressed Ashur’s decision to smother Gabinius, explaining that he is consumed with guilt and hates himself because of it. However, he kept those feelings to himself.
He also discussed Ashur’s standing within Roman society, stating that class prejudice ensures he will never truly be accepted. The romantic tension between Ashur and Viridia further complicates things, especially after she caught him kissing Hilara. DeKnight teased that the character would have to deal with the consequences of his actions in Spartacus: House of Ashur season 2.
To further complicate his life, Ashur murdering Caesar marks a major turning point for him in the eyes of society. He essentially declared that he would no longer conform to the rules. And, Rome likely isn't thrilled with his decision.
DeKnight promised that Spartacus: House of Ashur season 2 would raise the stakes for everyone. With Achillia's new status and goals, her relationship with Ashur is more complicated than ever before. The upcoming installment will introduce new gladiators and more political conflicts.
ScreenRant: Given what a departure this is from the world of Spartacus, was there a plot point or character storyline that changed the most for you from inception to the final cut of the final episode?
Steven S. DeKnight: That's an interesting question. The characters of Tarchon and Celadus definitely changed quite a bit from the original concept as the story progressed. Originally, they were not father and son. Tarchon was a guard in the ludus while Celadus was a fighter, and it was actually a suggestion from Starz to try something different. After thinking about it for a couple of days, I thought, "We've never done a father-son story. Let's do one of those." So, that changed radically from the original concept. And I thank Starz for that note because I think it made a huge difference in the season.
ScreenRant: After Gabinius passes, Asher looks guilt-stricken whenever he's in front of Viridia, but proud in front of Cornelia and Caesar. When no one else is around, what does he feel about what has happened? How much blame does he really take on himself?
Steven S. DeKnight: He hates himself. He absolutely hates himself. There's a line, when he comes back from that meeting with Caesar, where he tells the ludus that Achillia will face the Scythian. He says, "Glory to the House of f--king Ashur," and you see that he's carrying that guilt. He did everything he possibly could to get out of killing Gabinius - he even tried to stop the proceedings when Gabinius showed up, and they had that moment. He absolutely did not want Gaius to die. Being forced to smother him to keep him quiet is something that's going to haunt him for a long time. You can see that guilt over what he did when he's with Viridia. He hates himself because he loved Gabinius. That was the father he never had.
ScreenRant: Even though he was forced into that situation to appease the political actors around him, he's now being treated even worse among Roman society than he was when Gabinius was around. What would it take for the Romans to eye him less cruelly, and when will you give him a break?
Steven S. DeKnight: I don't think the Romans are going to give him a break because he is of a lower class, and that's what it all boils down to. It's a class system, and he is someone from a lower class who's trying to climb up to a higher class. They just will not have that.
ScreenRant: We also have a genuinely romantic moment with Viridia this episode, only for her to see him with Hilara and be disappointed all over again. What should we make of this chasm between them, considering she doesn't even know he's responsible for her father's death yet?
Steven S. DeKnight: Yes, we wanted to bring them so close to being together, then rip them apart. It just makes for such a good story. Ashur kissing Hilara was purely him in the moment. Viridia sees it and is obviously hurt by that, but it's not like he was expressing his undying love for Hilara. He just got caught up in the moment. That will have repercussions in the next season, definitely. He's still madly in love with Veridian, but he's being told in no uncertain terms that it ain't happening.
ScreenRant: When you look back at season 1, is there a storyline or a part of this world that you wish you had touched on more or you hope to expand next season?
Steven S. DeKnight: I think I touched on everything I want to [in season 1]. I just want do more of it. I want more romance, more messy complications. Ashur now has a ludus that's a hot property with Achillia, so he's going to be expanding. We want to bring in more gladiators, more gladiatrices, and have more drama downstairs. The drama upstairs is going to crank up a couple of notches too because, obviously, Ashur has committed this murder. If anybody ever finds out about it, he's going to get crucified. So, he's in a tough spot. But I also want that ending with Caesar to signify that Ashur has just taken so much shit from the Romans through the entire season, as he's been trying to play their game. Murdering Caesar is the start of him saying, "I'm not going to try to fit into Roman society. The Romans will bow to me now." So, it's Ashur unleashed, and he's going to go back to some of his old ways.
ScreenRant: Obviously, he has Achillia as a reigning champion again, which was a highlight of the episode. But she also confesses to Tarchon that her goal is naturally to gain her freedom and return home. Where will the Achillia and Ashur dynamic go from here? It's already been so different from Gannicus and Spartacus with Batiatus. Will they be more at odds now that she has the chance to free herself just as he's trying to build his ludus?
Steven S. DeKnight: Well, conflict is the cornerstone of this series, so is not going to be a smooth ride for either one of them. There's really no drama in that, and there's going to be so many things happening in season 2 and so much pressure on Ashur that a few things are going to go sideways, definitely.
ScreenRant: I was so sad that Messia was taken away. Obviously, she wanted to go, so good for her because she deserves better, but I also wanted to see more of her. Will we get more Messia as Cornelia deals with her husband's death?
Steven S. DeKnight: I can say nothing except I love Ivana and Jamie. They're fantastic together, and I certainly would want to see more.
Spartacus: House Of Ashur season 1 is available to stream on Starz.
8.4/10
Spartacus: House of Ashur
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Drama Action History Release Date 2025 - 2026-00-00 Network Starz Directors Rick Jacobson, Julian Holmes, Debs Paterson, Maja Vrvilo, Michael Hurst Writers Ihuoma Ofordire, aaron helbing, Eliana Pipes, Sid Quashie, Steven S. DeKnight
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