All it took was 20-seconds and Ash Vs Evil Dead, which debuts this fall on Starz, is already my favorite show on TV. In the 20-second video, we see puddles of blood with droplets causing a ripple effect. The camera pans north towards a bloody chainsaw, replacing the right hand of a man with a smooth, sexy voice… Ashley J. Williams, known the world over as simply, Ash.

“Ash is back baby.”

Watch the video below.

For those of you living under a horror movie rock for the last 30+ years, Ash is played by Bruce Campbell, also famous for work on Xena, Burn Notice, and Old Spice commercials. In 1981, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and other friends got together and made a low-budget horror classic that has spawned a trilogy, a remake, and countless imitators. Basically, anytime you’ve ever started describing a plot with, “so they go to this cabin in the woods and…” it’s a takeoff on the Evil Dead films, and yes, that includes the wickedly awesome Cabin in the Woods.

Reading from the Necronomicon (Book of the Dead, duh) unleashed hell for Ash, his girlfriend, sister, and friends, turning them into Candarian demons. Ash spends 3 movies spanning a decade trying to rid the world and time of these monsters. Along the way he lost his hand, and replaced it with a chainsaw, turning him into a cult icon, and moving forever into horror movie legend status. His womanizing, quick quips, and one-liners helped make him a beloved figure. I once waited 4 hours to meet him at a convention… time well spent!

The new show debuting this Fall, has Ash battling the deadites once more, this time with a sidekick played by Ray Santiago, as well as dealing with human problems from cast members Lucy “XENA” Lawless, Dana DeLorenzo and Jill Marie Jones. The pilot is going to be directed by Sam Raimi!

This Fall, the STARZ network should be a bloody good place for some TV.

Starz press release:

Original filmmakers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell Serve as Executive Producers on the Series starring Campbell and Lucy Lawless among others

Beverly Hills, Calif., May 29, 2015 – The STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” is rolling out new teasers this week for the 10-episode first season of the half-hour series executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. “Ash vs Evil Dead,” which is currently in production in New Zealand, is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead and is set to premiere on STARZ in Fall 2015.

Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.

The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.

Raimi is directing the first episode of “Ash vs Evil Dead” that he wrote with Ivan Raimi (Darkman, Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell), and Tom Spezialy (“Chuck,” “Reaper,” “Desperate Housewives”). Raimi will also serve as executive producer, with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) along with Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) who will serve as executive producer/showrunner. Ivan Raimi will co-executive produce and Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) and Chloe Smith (“Spartacus”) will serve as producers.

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