Tenika Davis is not holding back in the new series, Spartacus: House Of Ashur.
LISTEN NOW: Tenika Davis on 'Spartacus: House Of Ashur'
Her character, Achilla, introduces a fresh dynamic to the beloved franchise. For now, a woman enters the arena to fight for freedom and glory. Achillia, a fierce and powerful gladiator, is eager to prove herself worthy in a male-dominated world.
Spartacus: House of Ashur is a thrilling, erotic, history-bending, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. Tenika shares how the role resonated with her and her hopes for its impact on viewers, particularly young girls.
Was there ever a moment of concern between the power of the show and its fan base? How do I continue to carry and please the fans of the past while also bringing my own perspective into the show? Did you ever consider that at any point?
"It crossed my mind throughout the whole journey. How do I bring what I know to be true in my heart, to this character? When I was growing up, there was no Black female gladiator. I had seen a warrior princess to look up to, which I love. Lucy Lawless is amazing. I remember being that little girl who would put a towel on my head and carry on with this circle thing around my arm, pretending to be a fierce warrior princess. So, now getting the chance to have a character that creates an archetype that one day some little girl, little boy, is gonna have an opportunity to look up to, that's what allows us to bring the power and the strength to telling the story."
"Director Stephen DeKnight, I can't express the gratitude that I have for him being bold enough and daring enough to be able to retell history in this way, where we get to include people that have been overlooked in past. Now we actually have those characters in real time, in this world, and allow people to go on the journey with them."
Were you already in physical training mode for the role?
"Yeah I mean, as a child, I didn't know I was training, I thought I was just playing. It's kind of life that scared me, but, I think I realize sometimes our lives parallel the journey of what we're going to be. I feel like I do have a strong center of faith. These things prepared me for all the things that I needed later on to play this female gladiator. I was in taekwondo for years. My dad had an obsession with any Asian martial arts. Training was when I was a little girl, and he was like, you're gonna fight with men. He had me fighting with boys in the backyard when I was growing up. So eventually, you know, we fast forward to me doing shows like 'Jupiter's Legacy' and having to do punching combinations. I remember at the time, even Steven DeKnight, was so impressed because he was like, you hit like a man."
"Yes, I knew what it was to hit a bag, to do kicks, to fight with the sword, but knew what it was to train amongst men. And, I believe that's the crux for Achillia."
Spartacus: House of Ashur is now streaming on Starz