The Spartacus successor you missed dropped a year ago

Spartacus withdrawal? This lean six-episode epic storms Ancient Rome with steel, scheming, and bite-size history—perfect for a weekend binge.

But—here’s the actual point—there’s a new fix for anyone who’s obsessed with the gladiator angle in Spartacus. For once, it doesn't come via Starz or more chaotic Roman fanfic, but from an unexpected corner: National Geographic, of all people.

'Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World' – Finally, a Proper Arena Fix

Nat Geo’s 2025 docuseries 'Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World' is, no joke, the most satisfying thing I’ve seen if you just want more about historical bloodsport (with a bit less leather and gratuitous slow-mo). Yes, it’s technically educational, but it knows its audience too: there’s plenty of narrative, plenty of violence, and a proper deep dive into the actual lives of the sorts of people Spartacus fans want to watch.

Each episode zooms in on a totally different historical figure—most of whom have never made it near a prestige TV series. Oddly, it almost feels like they’re handing out free ideas to whichever scriptwriter’s willing to nick one.

• Episode 1: We start right back with Spartacus himself, in 75 BCE, after he’s flogged through slavery and forced into the gladiator life. Becomes a massive presence in the arena (his masters absolutely hate it), then heads a huge slave rebellion that forces Rome to wake up and actually improve a few of their rubbish policies. Oddly, the original show skipped over just how much panic he caused in the halls of power.
• Episode 2: Suddenly we’re in the early Empire (60 CE), following Spiculus, a celebrity gladiator who catches the eye of Emperor Nero. Spiculus gets away with pretty much everything—power, influence, lovers, a VIP pass to Roman high society. Try telling me the Starz writers wouldn’t have had a field day here.
• Episode 3: We’re into the 70s CE now, focusing on Maccus Attilus, not some noble or pro fighter but just a civilian crushed by debt. He literally volunteers to get punched for a living in the Pompeii amphitheatre, and? Turns out he’s an unplanned legend.
• Episode 4: 80 CE brings Carpophorus: enslaved man, specialist in beast fights (cue a lot of shaky comparisons with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator films, though this one’s based on fact). He manages to take out 20 wild animals in one day—so much for David Attenborough.
• Episode 5: Then you get Emperor Commodus—the infamous megalomaniac of 192 CE. The man genuinely fought in the arena (dressed as Hercules, why not) and “won” against supposedly top gladiators. How genuine those victories were? Let’s use our brains: probably staged.
• Episode 6: Rounding things off is Flamma, a Syrian soldier-turned-gladiator who got hooked on the life. He was offered his freedom multiple times—kept turning it down so he could stay in the ring. That’s a new one.

Does the World Really Need More 'Spartacus'?

Since we’re talking about spin-offs, let’s get into 'House of Ashur'. Despite a twist-filled finale that could’ve set up absolutely anything, Starz yanked the series after one run. Fans kicked off, and Steven S. DeKnight, series creator, promised he'll shop the rights to other platforms (Starz doesn’t actually own them). That’s something. Here’s a question, though: should we actually want more of the same?

I’ll admit my knee-jerk reaction was outrage at the cancellation, but thinking about it, Spartacus is not the only story worth telling. There are stacks of Roman tales out there—especially if you stick close to gladiators. Nat Geo’s new docuseries is the perfect evidence: you can pick a fresh character and run wild with it, and the audience will still turn up hungry.

Look at what Taylor Sheridan’s doing with the endless succession of neo-Westerns—audiences aren’t remotely tired, and critics aren’t either. So why shouldn’t Steven S. DeKnight (or anyone with a taste for sand and swords) do the same for Romans? There's so much room here.

Spartacus fans would lap it up. The landscape’s wide open.