Genre: Drama
Created by Michael Waldron
Starring: Stephen Amell & Alexander Ludwig.
Music by Jeff Cardoni; Ben Bridwell
Executive producers: Chris Donnelly, Mike O’Malley, Michael Waldron, Patrick Walmsley, Julie Yorn, Peter Segal
Producer: Bill Hill
Production location: Georgia
Editor: Jason Gourson
Production companies: O’Malley Ink, LBI Entertainment, Lionsgate Television, Paramount Television Studios
Network: STARZ
Plot: The Spade brothers must overcome their sibling rivalry while the rest of their small town wrestling family navigate the effects of their relationship. Crystal has the belt and Willie steps in as her new mentor.
Season 2 of Heels was very good.
Pros: I liked how they mirrored the landscape of pro wrestling of today. Every character had time to get developed. The one character I had the most investment with was Alexander Ludwig’s Ace Spade this season. The in-ring action was well done and the key cast felt like family throughout the series.
Cons: CM Punk and AJ Lee could’ve been series regulars this season. The season was almost close to being great.
Casts & Characters:
Main:
- Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, a “heel” in the Duffy Wrestling League (DWL), Ace’s older brother, and the proprietor of the DWL.
- Jaxon McHan as Young Jack Spade
- Alexander Ludwig as Ace Spade, a “face” in the DWL and Jack’s younger brother.
- Mason Gillette as Young Ace Spade
- Alison Luff as Staci Spade, Jack’s wife.
- Mary McCormack as Willie Day, Jack’s business partner.
- Kelli Berglund as Crystal Tyler, Ace’s valet who aspires to become a wrestler.
- Allen Maldonado as Deandre “Rooster Robbins” Milton, a star DWL wrestler.
- Roxton Garcia as Thomas Spade, Jack and Staci Spade’s son.
- Chris Bauer as Wild Bill Hancock, a former wrestling star turned pro wrestling scout.
- Robby Ramos as Diego Cottonmouth (season 2; recurring season 1), an experienced wrestler who acts as a “heel” in the ring and wears a luchador mask.
- Trey Tucker as Bobby Pin (season 2; recurring season 1), a rookie wrestler who acts as a “face” in the ring, but in the locker room he is an intelligent and encouraging colleague.
Recurring:
- Mike O’Malley as Charlie Gully, the owner and impresario of Florida Wrestling Dystopia (FWD), a new wrestling promotion more interested in violent spectacle than telling a compelling story.
- David James Elliott as Tom “King” Spade, Jack and Ace’s father, a former wrestler who was the proprietor of the DWL. The character appears in flashbacks, having committed suicide about a year before the events of the series.
- Alice Barrett Mitchell as Carol Spade, Jack and Ace’s mother.
- Duke Davis Roberts as “Big” Jim Kitchen, a seasoned wrestler and Ace’s best friend.
- Erica Pappas as Melanie Kitchen (guest season 2), Jim’s wife.
- Marcia DeBonis as Debbie
- CM Punk as Ricky Rabies, a journeyman pro wrestler.
- Danielle Gross as Courtney, Staci’s best friend.
- Larry Clarke as Ted Day, Willie’s husband.
- Joel Murray as Eddie Earl
- Eliza Coyle as Annie Earl
- Scott Hunter as The Dad
- Brian Scannell as Paul Gully, Charlie’s brother.
- Fiona O’Malley as Lucy Gully (season 2), Charlie’s daughter.
- AJ Lee as Elle Dorado (season 2)
- Josh Segarra as Brooks Rizzo (season 2)
- Emmy Raver-Lampman as Jennifer Lussier (season 2)
I recommend watching the first season before seeing this one.
Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe