The gladiators are back in Capua. Spartacus: House of Ashur, the long-awaited new chapter in the popular Starz saga, premiered on December 5, 2025, and the early word from fans is positive. Returning to the world of blood, sand, and political scheming, the show resurrects a fan-favorite character for a story set in an alternate timeline.
The new series asks a simple question: what if Ashur, the cunning and treacherous Syrian played by Nick E. Tarabay, did not die at the end of the original show’s second season? In this new version of history, Ashur was the one who killed the rebel Spartacus. As a reward, the Roman elite gave him control of his own gladiator school, the very same ludus where he was once a slave.
Early reactions on social media and forums are best summed up by one fan’s comment: “Pretty good so far.” The show delivers the signature mix of graphic violence, adult content, and stylized dialogue that defined the original franchise. For viewers who have missed this particular brand of television spectacle for over a decade, the return is a welcome one.
The Premise: A “What If” Story Brings a Villain Back
The core of House of Ashur is a bold rewrite of franchise history. The series begins by showing Ashur’s canonical death before shifting to a new reality. In a cameo appearance, Lucy Lawless returns as Lucretia to explain that Ashur is being granted a second chance at life in a different timeline.
In this world, Ashur is the Dominus, or master, of the House of Ashur. He sleeps in a lavish bed with body slaves, commands gladiators, and schemes for favor in Capua’s high society. However, his new status is fragile. The Roman nobles, including the devious Claudia Black as Cossutia, look down on him as a low-born foreigner and a traitor. His main goal is to earn respect and power by making his gladiator school a success in the arena.
The show’s creator, Steven S. DeKnight, who also led the original series, has described the opportunity to return to this world as “a rare, wonderful opportunity”. The ten-episode season is structured as a weekly event, with new episodes airing every Friday on Starz through January 30, 2026.
What Fans and Critics Are Saying About the Return
The response to the premiere has highlighted that the new show knows exactly what its audience wants. Major entertainment outlets have noted that the series successfully recaptures the spirit of the original Spartacus.
Reviews point out that House of Ashur is “hell-bent on entertaining,” serving a lavish mix of sex and violence presented without apology. The action is described as brutally graphic, with throats slit, skulls crushed, and more than enough blood spilled to satisfy longtime fans. The show’s dedication to its distinctive, profanity-laced dialogue—a stylized form of English meant to evoke Latin—also remains fully intact.
A classic tale of the haves and have-nots in ancient Rome, where power means everything, DeKnight’s world is as enticing as ever.
The performance of Nick E. Tarabay as the lead has received particular praise. He brings back all the arrogant, mercurial, and self-centered qualities that made Ashur a compelling villain, but now with the added complexity of being in charge. Critics note he is “easy to root for” simply because the Roman elites who oppose him are even more vicious and entitled.
New Faces and Key Characters in the Ludus
While Ashur is the central figure, the series introduces several new characters who become key players in the drama of the ludus.
The most significant new arrival is Achillia, played by Tenika Davis. Ashur discovers her at the slave docks, where he is impressed by her fierce fighting spirit as she battles her guards. He buys her and insists she be trained as a gladiatrix, a female gladiator, much to the horror of his seasoned trainer, Korris. Achillia’s journey is not an instant success story; she must endure grueling training and hostility from the male gladiators to earn her place.
The trainer, Korris, is portrayed by Graham McTavish. As the “Doctore” of the ludus, he is a grizzled veteran who respects tradition and is initially skeptical of Ashur’s leadership and his plan for Achillia. Other notable characters include Ashur’s body slaves, Hilara (Jamaica Vaughan) and Messia (Ivana Baquero), and the hot-headed gladiator Tarchon (Jordi Webber), who is eager for fame in the arena.
The series also features a memorable, anachronistic take on a young Julius Caesar, played by Jackson Gallagher with bleach-blond hair, who arrives in Capua to stir up trouble.
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A Legacy of Blood and Sand: How It Compares to the Original
For fans of the original Spartacus series that aired from 2010 to 2013, House of Ashur feels like a homecoming. The visual style, from the digital sets to the slow-motion action during fights, is immediately familiar. The show makes no attempt to water down the explicit content that defined its predecessor; nudity and graphic violence are presented with the same commitment.
The storytelling rhythm also mirrors the earlier series, particularly the prequel season Gods of the Arena, by focusing on the business of running a gladiator school and the political maneuvering required to climb the social ladder in Capua. This has led some reviewers to describe the plot as a “show business story,” with Ashur as a desperate producer trying to make his troupe a headline act.
Importantly, the series is designed to be accessible. While longtime viewers will appreciate numerous callbacks and the return of the unique dialogue style, the story of an outsider fighting for respect stands on its own. New viewers can start here without prior knowledge, though fans of the original will get more from the experience.
The show’s release schedule follows a weekly format. The first two episodes premiered back-to-back on December 5, and subsequent episodes will air every Friday. In the United States, the show is available on the Starz channel and streaming app, while in many international markets like the United Kingdom, it streams on MGM+.
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