Starz Picks Up ‘Fat Joe Talks’ and ‘Sweetpea’, Adds ‘Spartacusr’ Cast

Starz hit the Television Critics Assn. press tour Thursday with a new tagline (“We’re All Adults Here”) and news of several new and returning series – including the green light for the yakker “Fat Joe Talks” (hosted by the hip-hop star “What’s Luv”) and news that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian broadcast rights to “Sweetpea,” a new drama starring and executive produced by Ella Purnell (“Yellowjackets,” “Fallout”).

Starz also announced new cast members for the upcoming spinoff “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” the latest series in the “Spartacus” universe. Graham McTavish (“Outlander,” “The Witcher,” “House of the Dragon”) joins the cast as Ashur’s Doctore, who trains the gladiators. Tenika Davis (“Jupiter’s Legacy”) will play the first female gladiator in the “Spartacus” universe, described as “a fierce warrior driven to surpass her male counterparts and earn her freedom.”

They are joined by Jamaica Vaughan (“Home and Away”) as “Hilara,” a young, exalted house slave, deeply in love with Ashur; Ivana Baquero (“The Shannara Chronicles”) is “Messia,” a house slave who is in love with Hilara; Jordi Webber (“Choose Love”) plays “Tarchon,” a brash and headstrong gladiator; Claudia Black (“The Nevers”) plays “Cossutia,” a politician determined to keep Ashur in his place and constantly plotting his downfall; India Shaw-Smith (“Supernatural”) is “Viridia,” the daughter of Cossutia; and Leigh Gill (“Game of Thrones”) will appear as “Satyrus,” the leader of the Ferox brothers, gladiators from a rival Ludus. They all join Nick Tarabay (“Spartacus”) in the series, with production underway in New Zealand.

In the case of “Sweetpea,” Purnell plays Rhiannon Lewis, who lives an anonymous life — until “everything in her life turns upside down.” Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone, and in its place is a young woman capable of anything… Rhiannon’s life changes as she steps into a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer a secret?’

The six-part series, based on the novel by CJ Skuse, will premiere on Starz in the US and Canada in 2024. The show is produced by See-Saw Films and Fanboy in association with Sky Studios. Kirstie Swain, Krissie Ducker, Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim are EPs. Ella Jones is director and also EP. Manpreet Dosanjh, is EP for Sky Studios; Fanboy’s Patrick Walters, See-Saw’s Helen Gregory, Iain Canning and Emile Sherman and Purnell are also EPs.

“We are thrilled to once again collaborate with Ella Purnell and Sky Studios on such a fresh, groundbreaking story,” said Alison Hoffman, president of domestic networks at Starz. “This darkly comedic tale of revenge is sure to thrill viewers, as will Ella’s performance as a woman who finds her voice and demands her agency in ways that are devious and shocking.”

As for “Fat Joe Talks,” the 30-minute series will follow Fat Joe as he leads conversations “on a wide range of newsworthy topics and travels across the United States to meet these cultural icons in their communities.”

Embassy Row produces “Fat Joe Talks”; Fat Joe will make an EP with SpringHill’s LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Philip Byron and Jamal Henderson, and Embassy Row’s Michael Davies.

“Fat Joe Talks is an exciting introduction to talking, and who better than Joe – a legend in his own right – to spark provocative conversations that capture the spirit of the times and matter to our audiences,” said Kathryn Busby, president of Original Programming. for Starz. “We are thrilled to work with Joe and our partners at SpringHill and Embassy Row to launch this incredible show, which provides authentic, backstage, rare access to these cultural icons.”