12 Years Later, Spartacus Is Suddenly the Hottest Show on Streaming—and a Sequel Is Coming

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One standout historical drama depicting the Roman Empire, created over a dozen years ago, is now a popular streaming success. Starz’s production has climbed to the pinnacle of popularity rankings.

As of July 4, Spartacus stands as the number one TV show on Starz Top 10 Chart in the United States. This series is inspired by the real-life Thracian gladiator who led a rebellion against Roman rule, and it aired for three seasons from 2010 to 2013. During this time, it also produced a prequel series on Starz. Andy Whitfield starred as Spartacus in the first season and the prequel, while Liam McIntyre took over the role for Seasons 2 and 3.

In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, “Spartacus” on Starz masterfully delves into the pivotal moments that shaped the protagonist’s life before the main narrative unfolds. This series takes us on an enthralling journey, from his transformation from a Thracian warrior scouted by the Romans to a gladiator and ultimately, a fearless rebel leader.

The story is not without its twists and turns; our hero, Spartacus, experiences heart-wrenching betrayal at the hands of the Romans, leading him into a life of slavery. Through this adversity, he emerges as a formidable warrior, honed by battle.

What truly sets “Spartacus” apart is its unapologetic and graphic portrayal of violence – a stark reminder of the brutality that defined gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. This series is a must-watch for those who appreciate historical dramas with a raw, gritty edge.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Spartacus is currently rated fresh at 64%, while its first season, titled Blood and Sand, garnered mixed reviews with a 52% rating. However, audiences seemed to appreciate the exaggerated drama more than the critics did, as evidenced by the first season’s impressive 88% audience score. The prequel season, Gods of the Arena, was more favorably received both by critics and viewers, securing approval ratings of 73% and 93% respectively.

In 2011, following the death of its lead actor Andy Whitfield from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Starz proceeded with a second season, titled “Vengeance.” Although this season didn’t receive favorable critical responses, earning no score on Rotten Tomatoes, it still boasts a strong audience rating of 86%.

In 2013, the third and concluding season of “Spartacus,” titled “War of the Damned,” was broadcast on Starz, receiving praises from critics much like its earlier seasons. After the epic battle between Spartacus and Marcus Licinius Crassus (played by Simon Merrells), “War of the Damned” earned a 69% approval rating from critics and an impressive 86% score among audiences, making for a bloody and fitting finale in its final episodes.

A Spartacus Sequel Series is in the Works

In the year 2023, Starz revealed plans to revive one of their popular series, with Seven S. DeKnight resuming his role as writer. Later on, it was disclosed that the network had given the go-ahead for a 10-episode sequel entitled “House of Ashur“, featuring Nick E. Tarabay reprising his iconic character, Ashur – the Syrian ex-gladiator whose leg was injured in the arena.

The House of Ashur is said to present an alternate tale for the character, one in which he doesn’t perish on Mount Vesuvius but rather receives the ludus once owned by Batiatus as a reward for helping the Romans quell the slave uprising. In July last year, it was announced that several talented actors would join the production, such as Graham McTavish (The Hobbit), Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1) and Leigh Gill (Game of Thrones).

Spartacus is now streaming on Starz.

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2025-07-04 19:01