Spartacus: House of Ashur Review – Ashur Rises, Achillia Shines in STARZ’s Bloody New Spinoff
- Je-Ree
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Twelve years after Spartacus ended, creator Steven S. DeKnight reopens the arena with a thrilling twist: what if Ashur lived?
As a longtime Spartacus fan, I was among the millions glued to the screen when the series first aired. The loss of our original lead, Andy Whitfield, hit hard but when Liam McIntyre stepped into the role, the show didn’t miss a beat. Even when Lesley-Ann Brandt’s Naevia was replaced by Cynthia Addai-Robinson, the writing, emotion, and electrifying fight sequences carried the series through.
After four unforgettable seasons, we said goodbye to the blood-soaked sands of Capua or so we thought.
Now, twelve years after the series finale, creator Steven S. DeKnight drags us back into the arena with Spartacus: House of Ashur, a reimagining where the infamous villain Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) survives and slays Spartacus himself. Rewarded with his own ludus, Ashur steps into the title of Dominus and finds himself navigating a brutal world of politics, blood, and betrayal.
The series introduces a host of new faces, but none as captivating as Tenika Davis’s Achillia, a Nubian slave who becomes the first woman gladiator in Ashur’s house. Still treated as less than equal, Ashur seeks to prove his worth by presenting Achillia as his secret weapon, a bold move that stirs friction among his gladiators. DeKnight handles her story (as a black woman slave) with care, exploring her struggle for identity and respect within a system built on subjugation. There’s a particularly poignant training scene with Doctore that stands out without crossing into spoiler territory.
What works best here is DeKnight’s return to form: the world-building, the grit, and the unapologetic spectacle. House of
Ashur embraces diversity, adds new emotional layers, and still delivers the blood-and-sand brutality fans expect. For every drop of gore, there’s equal attention to the sensuality and romance that have always balanced the series’ intensity. Ladies, there will be a feast for your eyes as well.
I’ll admit I was skeptical at first, centering the story on a hated villain felt risky but Nick E. Tarabay commands the screen. Against all odds, you might just find yourself rooting for Ashur… even knowing what we know. The pacing in these first five episodes can feel slow, but it’s clear DeKnight is rebuilding his empire brick by brick. There are nods to the original series and familiar echoes for longtime fans, but enough fresh energy to keep newcomers hooked.
By the end of episode five, I was left craving more and trust me, you’ll want to see where Achillia’s path leads. No spoilers here, though.
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Spartacus: House of Ashur is a worthy and thrilling resurrection of a beloved franchise. Blood, heart, and spectacle return to STARZ this December 5 with a two-episode premiere. Prepare for carnage and maybe a few surprises.