Spartacus: House of Ashur (2025) is a United States historical action-drama series and an alternate-history spin-off of the original Spartacus franchise.
The show is developed by Steven S. DeKnight, the creator of the original series. The cast is led by Nick E. Tarabay, with supporting roles that include established and new faces from the franchise and fresh additions from the TV landscape.
The premise asks what if Ashur survived and rose to become the Ludus owner, focusing on power, revenge, and gladiatorial spectacle while keeping the franchise’s visceral tone. The series is set in ancient Rome and leans heavily on stylized violence, explicit sexuality, and political intrigue. Release windows and distribution partners vary by territory; check your local listings for exact dates and platforms.
Spartacus: House of Ashur Age Rating
Spartacus: House of Ashur is rated TV-MA in the United States due to graphic and intense violence, explicit sexual content and nudity, and pervasive strong language. This TV-MA classification signals adult material that is inappropriate for children and most teens, and it reflects the show’s deliberate use of gore, sexual situations, and mature themes.
Violence & Peril
Violence is central to the series and presented in graphic, stylized form typical of the franchise. Expect dismemberment, decapitation, and blood-soaked combat shown in slow-motion and close detail, often within the arena. Non-arena violence includes brutal beatings, torture, and battlefield wounds that are frequently explicit. The series also depicts the emotional toll of institutional violence, and scenes may be deeply disturbing to younger viewers.
Language
The series uses strong and crude language throughout. Profanity is common and often used to heighten tension and character cruelty. Dialogue includes sustained insults and demeaning language aimed at slaves, women, and rival masters. Parents should expect frequent use of coarse words and aggressive verbal abuse.
Mature Themes
House of Ashur explores sexual exploitation, power imbalances, and moral corruption among Rome’s elite. It contains explicit sexual scenes, nudity, transactional sex, and scenes that depict sexual coercion in historical contexts. Themes also include slavery, political betrayal, and revenge, alongside alcohol use and smoking. These mature elements are woven into the plot and are not presented as sanitized or symbolic.
Is Spartacus: House of Ashur Suitable for Teens?
Ages 11 and under: Not suitable. The series contains graphic gore, sexual content, and intense scenes that are inappropriate for children.
Ages 12–15: No, with rare exceptions. Younger teens may find the violence and sexual content traumatic. Parents should avoid showing this series to viewers in this age group.
Ages 16–17: With guidance. Mature teens may handle the material, but parental pre-screening is strongly advised. Use post-viewing discussion to explain historical context and the depiction of exploitation.
Final recommendation: Spartacus: House of Ashur is best suited to adults aged 18 and over. Parental discretion is strongly recommended for anyone under 18.
What Parents Can Do
- Pre-screen at least one episode to judge violence and sexual content before allowing a teen to watch.
- Talk about historical slavery and media spectacle to help teens separate entertainment from real harm.
- Set viewing limits and offer breaks during intense scenes; follow up with a calm discussion.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the official U.S. rating for Spartacus: House of Ashur?
A: Spartacus: House of Ashur is rated TV-MA in the United States for graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and strong language.
Q: Is Spartacus: House of Ashur appropriate for teens?
A: The series is aimed at adults. Teens 17 and under should watch only with careful parental guidance.
Q: Are the fight scenes graphic or scary?
A: Yes. The gladiatorial combat is graphic, bloody, and often very intense.
Q: How strong is the language and are slurs used?
A: Language is pervasive and crude. Expect profanity and degrading insults.
Q: Does the show include sexual content or nudity?
A: Yes. The series features explicit sexual situations, frequent nudity, and sexual power dynamics.
Q: Where can I watch the series?
A: In the US: It will be available on the STARZ App and its linear TV channel.