Overview
- Starz launched the series with a two‑episode premiere on December 5, followed by weekly Friday installments across a 10‑episode season, with UK streaming on MGM+ from December 6.
- Set in an alternate timeline, the story follows Ashur as master of the former House of Batiatus and features Achillia, a prominent female gladiator.
- Initial critical response is highly positive, with early reviews reported as producing a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise from major outlets including Variety, RogerEbert.com, The Wrap and Collider.
- Creator Steven S. DeKnight says Starz allowed the show’s signature mix of graphic violence and explicit sexuality without pulling back, maintaining the franchise’s hedonistic tone.
- DeKnight has a second season already written and has teased multiple additional spin‑offs if the audience turns up, while star Nick E. Tarabay hints at a finale cliffhanger with huge consequences.