Heels (TV series) explained

Creator:Michael Waldron
Composer:Jeff Cardoni
Opentheme:"Love in War" by Ben Bridwell
Country:United States
Location:Georgia
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:16
Producer:Bill Hill
Editor:Jason Gourson
Runtime:57–62 minutes
Network:Starz

Heels is an American drama television series about professional wrestling created by Michael Waldron that premiered on August 15, 2021, on Starz.[1] In November 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on July 28, 2023.[2] [3] In September 2023, the series was cancelled after two seasons.[4]

Premise

Two brothers and rivals, one a villain, or "heel" in professional wrestling, the other a hero, or "face", play out scripted matches as they war over their late father's wrestling promotion and vie for national attention in small town Georgia.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

Development

On February 17, 2017, it was announced that Starz had given straight-to-series order to Michael Waldron's series. Production companies involved with the series are Paramount Television and LBI Entertainment.[10] On January 7, 2020, Peter Segal replaced Kyle Patrick Alvarez to direct the series.[11] On May 2, 2021, Starz announced the series would premiere on August 15, 2021. On November 3, 2021, Starz renewed the series for a second season.[12] On an episode of Michael Rosenbaum's "Inside of You" podcast released on January 3, 2023, Stephen Amell mentioned that filming of the second season wrapped in July 2022, but no further information was available regarding a trailer or release date.[13] In May 2023, Starz announced the second season would premiere on July 28, 2023.[3]

Casting

On August 19, 2019, Stephen Amell was cast as Jack Spade.[14] On September 15, 2019, Alexander Ludwig was cast as Ace Spade.[15] On January 7, 2020, Alison Luff was cast as Staci Spade. On March 11, 2020, Chris Bauer, Allen Maldonado, James Harrison, and Kelli Berglund joined the cast.[16] On August 25, 2020, Mary McCormack was cast as Willie, Jack's business partner.[17]

Episodes

Season 2 (2023)

Release

Heels debuted on Starz on August 15, 2021, and the season 1 finale aired on October 10, 2021.Heels season 2 debuted on Starz on July 28, 2023, and the season 2 finale aired on September 15, 2023. In April 2024 Netflix announced it acquired the show from Starz and plans to show reruns of both seasons on its streaming service beginning September 15. Netflix also announced the possibility of a third season being produced if the reruns are widely viewed.[18]

Reception

Heels has been met with a highly positive response from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 96% based on reviews from 26 critics, with an average rating of 8/10. The critics consensus reads, "Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig sell hard in Heels, an impressive new drama that has compelling angles on both sides of the rope."[19] On Metacritic, the first season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on reviews from 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has an approval rating of 90% based on reviews from 10 critics, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The critics consensus reads, "There are no jobbers in Heels second season, which utilizes the full breadth of its ensemble to show-stopping effect."[21] On Metacritic, the second season has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 based on reviews from 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Haring. Bruce. May 2, 2021. Independent Wrestling Drama 'Heels' Sets Series Debut Date On Starz. May 2, 2021. Deadline. en-US.
  2. Web site: Haring . Bruce . May 12, 2023 . 'Heels' Returns For Season 2, Sets Premiere Date With First-Look Photos . May 12, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  3. Web site: Baldwin . Kristen . Get a first look at 'Heels' season 2, which makes a comeback this summer . May 11, 2023 . May 12, 2023 . EW.com . en.
  4. Web site: Harris . Racquel . September 25, 2023 . 'Blindspotting' and 'Heels' Among 4 Shows Canceled by Starz . September 25, 2023 . TheWrap . en-US.
  5. Web site: Del Rosario. Alexandra. July 19, 2021. 'Heels' Trailer: Stephen Amell & Alexander Ludwig Resurrect Local Pastime In Starz Wrestling Drama. July 20, 2021. Deadline. en-US.
  6. Web site: Haring. Bruce. May 3, 2021. Independent Wrestling Drama 'Heels' Sets Series Debut Date On Starz. July 20, 2021. Deadline. en-US.
  7. Web site: Petski. Denise. December 15, 2020. 'Heels': David James Elliott & Joel Murray To Recur In Starz's Wrestling Drama Series. July 20, 2021. Deadline. en-US.
  8. Web site: Hillhouse. Dave. August 30, 2021. 'Heels' episode three: Ace and Jack turn the screw. September 11, 2021. Slam! Wrestling. en-US.
  9. Web site: Photos: CM Punk's "Heels" Character Revealed, More From Upcoming Starz Wrestling Drama . Wrestling Inc.. April 23, 2021 .
  10. Web site: Nellie . Andreeva. Wrestling Drama 'Heels' From Paramount TV Heats Up At Starz, Eyeing Series Order. February 17, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. August 19, 2019.
  11. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. 'Heels': Alison Luff To Star In Starz's Wrestling Drama Series. January 7, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. February 7, 2021.
  12. Web site: 'Heels' Renewed For Season 2 By Starz; Trey Tucker & Robby Ramos Upped To Series Regulars. Deadline Hollywood. Pedersen. Erik. November 3, 2021. November 3, 2021.
  13. Web site: Stephen Amell . January 4, 2023 . www.insideofyoupodcast.com.
  14. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. 'Arrow' Star Stephen Amell To Headline Starz Wrestling Drama Series 'Heels'. August 19, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. August 19, 2019.
  15. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. Alexander Ludwig To Star Opposite Stephen Amell In Starz's Wrestling Drama Series 'Heels'. September 16, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. September 16, 2019.
  16. Web site: Denise. Petski. 'Heels': Chris Bauer, Allen Maldonado, James Harrison Join Starz's Wrestling Drama Series. March 11, 2020. Deadline Hollywood.
  17. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. Mary McCormack To Star In 'Heels' Wrestling Drama Series For Starz. August 25, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. August 25, 2020.
  18. Web site: Hope for ‘Heels’? Canceled wrestling drama licensed to Netflix (Exclusive). Goldberg. Lesley. The Hollywood Reporter. April 9, 2024. July 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240409163943/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/heels-licensed-netflix-season-3-hopes-1235869552/. April 9, 2024.
  19. heels. tv. 1. Heels. August 8, 2023.
  20. heels. tv. 1. Heels. August 8, 2023.
  21. heels. tv. 2. Heels. August 31, 2023.
  22. heels. tv. 2. Heels. August 31, 2023.

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