Graham McTavish Cast in New ‘Spartacus’ Sequel on Starz

July 12 (UPI) — “Outlander” and “Preacher” alum Graham McTavish has joined the cast of the new “Spartacus” drama on Starz.

McTavish will portray the gladiator trainer Doctore in the 10-part series, “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” which is currently filming in New Zealand.

The cast will also feature Nick Tarabay, Tenika Davis, Jamaica Vaughan, Ivana Baquero, Jordi Webber, Claudia Black, India Shaw-Smith, and Leigh Gill.

“Spartacus: House of Ashur” promises to be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling roller-coaster that builds on the elements that made the original series a colossal hit, according to the network’s press release on Thursday.

The new installment will explore an intriguing alternate history. It poses the question: what if Ashur, played by fan favorite Nick Tarabay, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of “Spartacus: Vengeance”? And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus as a reward for helping the Romans kill Spartacus and end the slave rebellion?

“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” premiered on the network in 2010. It was followed by the prequel, “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” in 2011 and the spin-offs “Spartacus: Vengeance” in 2012 and “Spartacus: War of the Damned” in 2013.

Franchise creator, writer, and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight will once again serve as the showrunner for the latest installment.