Is Spartacus: House of Ashur better than the original series? Fans and critics have conflicting views. The sequel spin-off has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes but only 55% on the Popcornmeter. A section of hardcore fans refers to it as “woke” due to the presence of a black gladiatrix, while others have opted for more logical criticism, pointing out flaws in the dialogue and characterization. Critics, on the other hand, have praised the new show as one of the most exciting stories ever to be told about Ancient Rome.
Indeed, nostalgia for the original series will always be high. Nothing can top the adventures of Spartacus, Crixus, and Gannicus. The choice to build a spin-off around Ashur also didn’t sit well with many fans, as he was one of the most hated characters. However, everyone should watch with a clear and open mind. The new series scores high in several areas, notably the following.
‘House of Ashur’ Is Unpredictable
House of Ashur may not be quite the flawless production that curious viewers might expect it to be, based on all the hype, but it’s not far off. There are no hammy performances or a surfeit of pointlessly overblown opulence that get wearying and make the show a painful ordeal to sit through. Most importantly, there are way more surprises in store.
House of Ashur’s “What if?” approach prevents it from being confined to a historical cocoon like the 2010 production. Before the current creative chapter was crafted, history buffs could tell which major event was coming next. Despite some creative liberties, the showrunner, Steven. S. DeKnight was keen on recreating events as they happened. Every main character’s fate was easy to predict, too, since most of them were based on real people. Now, with Ashur cruising through an alternate reality, the tales of Rome can be tweaked as much as DeKnight wishes.
Slow and Steady World-Building
The original series immerses viewers in the chaos right from the opening minute. Spartacus defies Glaber, before he is captured and forced to work for the House of Batiatus as a gladiator. Consequently, there are endless action scenes. The same cannot be said of the sequel spin-off, which prioritizes slow and steady world-building over action.
The strength of an ancient saga cannot only be manufactured by interspersing sequences of coitus and lunging swordplay with shots of breasts and sculpted glutes — marvelous as those breasts may be. Steven S. DeKnight understands this, so he put more effort into the story this time around. Watching House of Ashur thus feels like reading a book. It isn’t just the sex that gets enough foreplay. Every major event does.
Ashur Is No Longer a Weak Character
Transforming Ashur from despicable to franchise favorite has to be the biggest miracle anyone has pulled since Jesus transformed water into wine. When news first came out that the new show would focus on Nick E. Tarabay’s, fans were skeptical. Everyone felt it was a bad idea to anchor a new story on a character that everyone hated. Ashur was not only intolerable the first time around, but he was also weak; thriving through petty scheming rather than pure strength and courage like the rest of the protagonists. Interestingly, he is extremely likable in the spin-off, thanks to better characterization and Tarabay’s marvelous performance.
Tarabays’s strong, bold, heroic performance as an estimable dominus is a beacon of intelligence, awareness, and charisma in a world of endless backstabbing. For the sake of verisimilitude, Tarabay put on a couple of pounds before production began, so that the newer athletic version of him that we see this time bears scant resemblance to the gladiators.
‘House of Ashur’ Is More Progressive
The original series was groundbreaking in its portrayal of queer characters and its sex scenes, where no parts are private. House of Ashur goes a step further by having a black gladiatrix as its key protagonist. There have been doubts about whether female gladiators fought men in Ancient Rome, but archeological evidence proves that they existed.
Historical records further prove that Roman society was inclusive. People were judged by class, not by their ethnicity. This is why Ashur, a Syrian, is granted an ear by Rome’s elite. The immigrant experience is clearly better here than it was in the original show. Does the show need to be as preachy as it is about some of these things? It’s up to the viewer to judge, but commentators ought to avoid kvetching too much about it. Overall, the Starz series ought to be praised for pushing boundaries that many other small-screen projects never bother to.
‘House of Ashur’ Dives Deeper Into Roman Politics
The original series had Roman heavyweights like Crassus, Praetor Glaber, and Julius Caesar in later seasons, but politics often took a back seat, with more focus on gladiatorial combat, training sequences, and the uprising. The spin-off takes the opposite route; Ashur courts Senator Gabinius, tries to please Crassus, and squares off with Julius Caesar… all while trying to gain acceptance into Roman high society.
This time, DeKnight appears determined to illuminate the ugly side of Roman politics. Ashur’s interactions with the famous figures of Rome are all fictional, but they are fun, refreshing, and thought-provoking. Court intrigue always matters in historical dramas, and House of Ashur takes it seriously, almost equaling that of the greatest show about Ancient Rome.
Purposeful Sex and Violence
Sex, merriment, and put-on violence have always been important parts of the Spartacus franchise, and House of Ashur retains these signature elements. This is the kind of drama that can turn a teetotaling viewer on to the pleasures of swilling wine at any hour. However, everything feels more purposeful this time. There is no needless intimacy or fighting. Everything is done with the intention of manipulating others, asserting dominance against an enemy, soothing a wounded ego, or ally.
Sex is integral to each couple’s relationship, but, in the current saga, it often threatens to destroy the blissful existence of the characters. The cruddiness is no longer cartoonish… It’s gritty, explored with enormous range and detail. Why do the characters like or hate each other? What are the possible consequences of their feud or intimacy? All this is properly explained.
‘House of Ashur’ Has a Flawed Protagonist
Achillia is House of Ashur’s version of Spartacus, but she is more flawed and relatable, never shielded by plot armor. Spartacus won every fight, except his final one, and never looked weak. Achillia, on the other hand, takes several weeks before she becomes arena-ready and even gets badly injured, forcing her to stay on the sidelines for a long time.
Achillia isn’t superhuman like Achilles. Unlike the Brad Pitt character from Troy, who keeps flaunting his delts and lats, you won’t hear her shouting. ”Is there no one else?” after a fight. Even after being summoned for the umpteenth time to prove her worth, she shows weakness, yet never loses the desire to improve. For her, perfection will have to be the result of endurance and determination. Because of this, audiences feel the need to root for her more.
Do you believe House of Ashur is better than the original series?
- Release Date
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December 5, 2025
- Network
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Starz
- Directors
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Rick Jacobson, Julian Holmes, Debs Paterson, Maja Vrvilo, Michael Hurst
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