‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’s New Gladiatrix Addresses “Woke” Criticism Surrounding Starz Spinoff

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If you look at articles about the new Spartacus series, House of Ashur, you’ll likely find comments from viewers upset about the inclusion of a female gladiator, or gladiatrix, and calling the show “woke.” This criticism started when the spin-off was announced and increased after the trailer came out a few weeks ago. Now, Tenika Davis, the actress playing the newest hero in Spartacus, is responding directly to those complaints.

In Spartacus: House of Ashur, Davis portrays Achillia within a reimagined storyline. The series explores what might have happened if Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) had killed Spartacus instead of the other way around. As a result, Ashur gains control of Batiatus’ former ludus (gladiator school) and seeks a powerful champion to showcase in the arena. That’s where Achillia comes in – a complex and formidable character brought to life flawlessly by Davis.

While promoting her new film, House of Ashur, Davis discussed the online buzz surrounding the series with MovieWeb. She confessed that she typically avoids social media, but she couldn’t ignore the recent excitement.

I keep telling myself to stay off the internet, but I always end up going online. It’s like I get too curious and have to see what’s happening – it’s a really impulsive feeling.

After seeing the harsh criticism of Spartacus: House of Ashur – with some calling it simply “woke garbage” without even watching it – creator Jessica Davis had an unexpected reaction. Instead of getting upset, she noticed a connection between the negativity and the struggles faced by the characters in the show. Davis believes this actually makes House of Ashur surprisingly relevant to its critics… they just haven’t realized it yet.

Reading the comments, I was struck by how strongly people reacted. It was good to see such a visceral response, even if it was negative – people clearly didn’t want this character. That’s actually perfect, because that’s exactly how the Romans in the story felt, showing they’re already understanding the themes we’re exploring.

It’s understandable to feel those things, because the characters and people within the story are experiencing them too. This means audiences will naturally connect with the narrative, even before they fully realize what it’s about.

‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ Is Already Proving People Wrong


Starz

With the two-part premiere of Spartacus: House on Ashur just two weeks away, early reactions are proving critics wrong. A recent sneak peek screening in Los Angeles generated overwhelmingly positive responses online, including one X user who said:

The first two episodes of #Spartacus: House of Ashur are fantastic! They really capture the feel of the original series. Expect powerful dialogue, intense violence, and compelling new characters as Ashur schemes to gain power. It’s thoroughly entertaining, and I’m already looking forward to the next episodes!

Viewers were highly impressed with the premiere, with one person saying it “blew them away” and promising fans of the original Spartacus series were in for something special, as the show still captures the spirit of that world. Similar excitement was seen on Instagram, where people described Spartacus: House of Ashur as everything from “unreal” to “really good.”

Despite some initial doubts about Spartacus: House of Ashur, early signs suggest the new series will be very entertaining. The first two episodes will debut on Starz on December 5, 2025.

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2025-11-22 00:33