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The Critics Choice Association has announced honorees for its 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, taking place December 9 in Los Angeles. Jay Pharoah returns as host, and STARZ is back as official media partner, with the ceremony airing in early 2026.

Spike Lee will receive the Career Achievement Award for his four-decade career, most recently Highest 2 Lowest. David Alan Grier earns the Vanguard Award for his acclaimed work across stage and screen, including St. Denis Medical. Ryan Coogler will be honored with the Director Award for Sinners, his record-breaking IMAX 70 mm feature for Warner Bros.

Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch take the Documentary Award for Apple TV’s Number One on the Call Sheet. Janelle James wins the Comedy Award for Abbott Elementary. Tessa Thompson, Sterling K. Brown, and Jurnee Smollett are recognized for Hedda, Paradise, and Smoke, respectively.

The Ensemble Award goes to Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another. Damson Idris earns Supporting Actor – Film for F1, and Skye P. Marshall wins Supporting Actress – Series for Matlock, receiving STARZ’s #TakeTheLead honor. Tenika Davis (Spartacus: House of Ashur) is named Breakthrough Performer, and Naya Desir-Johnson (Sarah’s Oil) takes Rising Star.

Singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee will perform her song from Highest 2 Lowest. “It’s truly an honor to continue our tradition of celebrating excellence in Black cinema and television,” said executive producer Shawn Edwards.

By Armando

Spartacus: House of Ashur Panel Brings Blood, Memory, and Laughter to Comic-Con 2025 © aipimaging.com

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Spartacus: House of Ashur stormed into San Diego Comic-Con with a packed panel in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront. The event featured showrunner Steven S. DeKnight alongside stars Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur), Graham McTavish (Korris), Tenika Davis (Achillia), Jordi Webber (Tarchon), Jamaica Vaughan (Hilara), and Jaime Slater (Cornelia). Liam McIntyre, who played Spartacus in the original series, served as moderator.
McIntyre opened the panel by asking the audience for a round of applause in honor of Andy Whitfield, the original Spartacus who passed away in 2011, to which fans responded with a long ovation.

The teaser trailer for the series revealed Ashur’s return in an alternate history where his betrayal earned him ownership of the ludus. “What if betrayal wasn’t a sin, but currency?” DeKnight teased, hinting at the show’s mix of gladiatorial spectacle and political intrigue.

Asked whether the new series would match the notorious tone of the original, DeKnight smirked: “If you’re wondering if House of Ashur is going to be as sexy as Spartacus… I think you already know the answer.”

The panel mixed heartfelt tributes with bawdy jokes and playful banter among the cast, giving fans a taste of the chaotic energy they can expect when Spartacus: House of Ashur premieres on Starz this winter.

photos: AIPimaging.com