Deadliest Warrior

After three episodes Deadliest Warrior hit 1.7 million viewers

Deadliest Warrior was a television program in which information on historical or modern warriors and their weapons are used to determine which of them is the “deadliest” based upon tests performed during each episode. The show was characterized by its use of data compiled in creating a dramatization of the warriors’ battle to the death. The show ran for three seasons.


After three episodes, Deadliest Warrior averaged 1.7 million viewers. On July 7, 2009, the program (specifically the “IRA vs. Taliban” episode) was ridiculed during the first episode of You Have Been Watching, a British television review and panel game hosted by critic Charlie Brooker. The show was featured on You Have Been Watching, before its premiere in the UK on August 11, 2009, on Bravo. Bravo only aired eight episodes in the UK, with “IRA vs Taliban” omitted.

Writing for Variety, Brian Lowry described it as “90% filler” and that “it makes a Universal Studios stunt show look like Masterpiece Theatre.”

In 2010, actor Pierce Brosnan was asked by a fan, “If Alec Trevelyan (from GoldenEye) were pitted against Joanna Dark (from Perfect Dark) on DW, who would emerge victorious?” Brosnan’s answer: “Trevelyan, for sure. He’s just deadlier, pure and simple.”

In 2013, actress Kristanna Loken was asked who would prove deadliest if the T-1000 (from Terminator 2: Judgement Day) were pitted against her own T-X character (from Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) on DW. Loken’s answer: “The T-X, without a doubt.”

Science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson was once asked who would prevail on DW, the Imperial Royal Guard from Star Wars or the Sardaukar from Dune, if the two were pitted against each other. Anderson’s reply: “The Fremen would defeat Palpatine’s Royal Guards without a contest. Now, if you pit the Fremen against the Yuuzhan Vong…well, that would be closer.”