Stephen Amell’s “Heels” Premieres on Netflix This Fall

Heels, the wrestling drama starring Arrow alum Stephen Amell, is set to make its debut on Netflix this fall. Showrunner Mike O’Malley hopes the show’s presence on the platform will generate enough buzz to warrant additional episodes. This optimism is fueled by the success seen by Suits, which garnered a new spinoff series on USA Network starring Amell. In today’s streaming landscape, only platforms like Netflix have the substantial audience base needed to revive shows, and both the fans and creators of the short-lived Starz series Heels are hopeful this transition will breathe new life into the show.

The show’s move to Netflix could potentially benefit from its alignment with WWE Raw. Starting in January 2025, WWE Raw will also find a new home on Netflix, promising some level of audience crossover. Heels makes its Netflix debut on Sunday, September 15th.

Heels focuses on a small-town wrestling league in rural Georgia. The term “heels” refers to villains in wrestling, contrasting with “faces,” which are the heroes. The show’s storyline delves into the dynamics between heroes and villains, or faces vs. heels, in the wrestling world. Season two revisits the family-run Duffy Wrestling League (DWL) where brothers Jack (Stephen Amell) and Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) continue their rivalry, grappling with their late father’s legacy and their personal success. As they work to find their identities as either a “face” or a “heel,” the show explores themes of trauma, personal identity, and female empowerment.

Heels resonates with viewers by evoking nostalgia similar to “Friday Night Lights.” It captures the essence of small-town dynamics where everyone knows each other, and the community is engrossed in the tales of the DWL’s Heels and Faces. The storyline addresses the impact of trauma on communities, how individuals find their personal identity, and highlights women taking charge in various aspects of life.

Mike O’Malley, the show’s mastermind and executive producer, also stars as Charlie Gully. The creator of the series, Michael Waldron, is known for his work on Loki and Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The production team comprises industry veterans such as Christopher Donnelly, Pete Segal, Patrick Walmsley, and Julie Yorn. These producers bring a wealth of experience from projects like By Sidney Lumet, Get Smart, 50 First Dates, Tommy Boy, Shameless, JT LeRoy, Hell or High Water, and White Boy Rick.

Produced under O’Malley Ink and LBI Entertainment in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ, Heels aims to captivate audiences with its compelling narrative and strong character arcs.

Source: ComicBook