The story of Ashur takes a sharp turn as Spartacus: House of Ashur delivers its third episode. Titled Unworthy, this new installment arrives on Friday, December 12, 2025, and promises to center on a major clash between Ashur and his gladiator trainer, Korris. Following the two-episode premiere on December 5, the series continues its weekly release schedule, bringing more of the alternate-timeline drama that imagines what would have happened if the cunning Ashur had survived and inherited a gladiator school. For fans of the original bloody and political saga, this episode looks set to test loyalties and push characters to their limits.
When and Where to Watch Episode 3
Episode 3 of Spartacus: House of Ashur has a straightforward release pattern. The episode will first air on the Starz cable network in the United States on Friday, December 12, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. This is the same weekly time slot the series has established.
For viewers who stream, the episode will become available on the Starz app and Starz on-demand platforms the very next day, Saturday, December 13. This means you can watch it on-demand if you miss the live broadcast.
International viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the episode on MGM Plus, which is available as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video. The episode will be available there on Saturday, December 13, following the U.S. premiere.
The series is not available on general subscription services like Netflix or Hulu. To watch, you need access to Starz through a cable package, a standalone Starz subscription, or a streaming TV service that includes the Starz channel.
The Core Conflict: Ashur vs. Korris
The official title and description for Episode 3 point directly to its main event. The episode is named Unworthy, and the synopsis from Starz states: Korris faces Ashur’s wrath and must prove himself worthy.
This sets the stage for a significant confrontation. Graham McTavish plays Korris, an older, experienced gladiator trainer (known as a Doctore) who works for Ashur. Creator Steven S. DeKnight has described their relationship as a complex “bromance,” where the two men constantly butt heads but slowly realize they need each other. In this episode, that tension appears to boil over.
“Ashur’s wrath is going to get unleashed on Korris, and he will be put in a spot where he will have to prove that he’s really worthy,” states a report based on the official press release.
What triggers Ashur’s anger is a key question heading into the episode. As the new owner of the gladiator school, Ashur is under immense pressure to succeed and gain respect from Rome’s elite. Any failure or perceived disloyalty from his inner circle, especially his trusted Doctore, could threaten his fragile rise to power.
A Look at the Expanding Cast and Story
While the Ashur-Korris dynamic is central, Episode 3 will continue to develop the show’s growing ensemble. Nick Tarabay leads the series, reprising his role as the cunning Ashur from the original Spartacus series. The show is built on a “what-if” premise, exploring an alternate history where Ashur lived and was given the gladiator school once run by Batiatus.
Other key characters viewers will see include:
- Achillia (Tenika Davis): A groundbreaking female gladiator (gladiatrix) whose introduction is a direct result of Ashur changing history.
- Hilara (Jamaica Vaughan): A house slave who becomes romantically involved with Ashur.
- Julius Caesar (Jackson Gallagher) and Cornelia (Jamie Slater): The powerful Roman politician and his wife, whose schemes loom over the entire city.
- Liam McIntyre as Spartacus: The legendary rebel leader appears in the series, impacting Ashur’s story from afar.
The first season is planned for 10 episodes total, with new episodes releasing weekly every Friday through January 30, 2026. This third episode, Unworthy, is a key step in that first season arc, where alliances are tested and the true cost of power in ancient Rome begins to show.
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The Show’s Connection to the Original Series
For fans who watched the original Spartacus series that aired from 2010-2013, House of Ashur offers a familiar yet fresh experience. Creator Steven S. DeKnight has emphasized that he wanted the show to make legacy fans feel at home. The visual style, intense action, and mix of political intrigue with arena violence remain the same.
However, the story is entirely new. Ashur is the only character who has been brought back from the dead for this alternate timeline. All other characters who died in the original series remain dead. This allows the show to introduce a mostly new cast while including special appearances from original actors like Lucy Lawless, who briefly reprises her role as Lucretia in a spiritual capacity.
New viewers do not need to have seen the original series to understand House of Ashur. The premise is established clearly within the new show. However, longtime fans will spot Easter eggs and references that add an extra layer to the experience. The series is rated TV-MA for its graphic violence, adult content, and intense themes, consistent with the franchise’s reputation.
The release of Unworthy continues the long-awaited return of the Spartacus world. With the central conflict between Ashur and Korris taking center stage, the episode will reveal more about whether Ashur can build something lasting or if his ambitions will be destroyed by the very wrath that fuels them.
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