The Bloodiest and Raunchiest TV Show Ever Made Faces “Woke” Criticism from Fans on Rotten Tomatoes

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Starz brought back the world of Spartacus this past Friday after a 12-year break with the premiere of House of Ashur, a new spinoff. This series presents an alternate storyline where the Syrian character survives and is responsible for the death of Spartacus. While critics are loving the show – it currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – viewers haven’t been as impressed. As many predicted, House of Ashur is receiving criticism for including a female gladiator.

The new series, Spartacus: House of Ashur, starring Tenika Davis as the character Achillia, has received negative feedback from some viewers who criticize it for being “woke.” Davis, who plays a new addition to the show, recently discussed these criticisms with MovieWeb. Currently, the series has a 45% fan rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with some viewers expressing strong disapproval. One commenter stated the show was ruined by the new direction, while another wrote a lengthy post arguing that women were never gladiators and shouldn’t be portrayed as fighters alongside men.

This series, like others recently, feels ruined by a forced attempt to inject modern social agendas into a historical setting. The inclusion of a female gladiator is a significant departure from historical accuracy – women simply didn’t participate in gladiatorial combat due to physical limitations. Similarly, women haven’t historically been part of elite military units like the Navy SEALs or Delta Force for the same reasons. While there’s a place for diverse representation, it shouldn’t come at the expense of historical authenticity. Let’s allow historical dramas to reflect the realities of the past and avoid rewriting it.

One frustrated fan bluntly stated that adding a female gladiator felt like a forced and unrealistic move. Others expressed a lack of interest in the show overall, with one predicting it wouldn’t be remembered for long.

Honestly, I’m really disappointed. It feels like some critics these days aren’t focusing on whether a story is good, but just if it hits certain trends. Take this new movie, for example – a female gladiator easily defeating multiple men just feels forced and silly to me. And frankly, by 2025, this kind of thing feels incredibly tired and predictable. It’s a shame because a good story should be the priority.

‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ Does Have Its Believers


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Despite many negative reviews for Spartacus: House of Ashur, some viewers are enjoying the new series, especially the return of Nick E. Tarabay as Spartacus, even though his character was widely disliked in the original show. One fan commented:

Even though I didn’t care for Ashur in the beginning, he’s proving to be a really compelling character. I’m really enjoying the new characters, particularly Achillia. Having a female gladiator is a fantastic addition and promises to be fascinating. While some viewers might not be used to it, the original Spartacus series also featured strong female warriors, and this show is simply building on that tradition. Achillia is already a complex and well-developed character – she’s a mix of pride, regret, and a deep desire for freedom. I can already see the same intensity in her that defined the Bringer of Rain.

Reviewers and fans alike are loving House of Ashur. Many have described it as fantastic, exciting, and even an improvement over the original series. Social media is full of praise, with viewers calling it incredible and amazing, and directly thanking the creator, Steven S. DeKnight.

I signed up for Starz through my HOA and I’m really impressed! The show has fantastic characters and creates a believable, complex world. It reminds me a lot of the exciting action and well-developed characters from Spartacus, which I loved. Great work!

The first two episodes of Spartacus: House of Ashur are now available on the Starz app. New episodes will be released every Friday, with the season finale arriving on January 30, 2026.

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2025-12-07 20:03