Created and primarily written by lifelong wrestling fan Michael Waldron (Loki), Heels is a surprisingly meditative show, which contrasts naturally against the theatrical natures of its central characters’ wrestling personas. While it’s plenty entertaining when the characters are wrestling in the ring, the interest of the show’s creators seems to be truly centered on the cast and the surprising layers of depth they hide behind muscles and spandex. Heels is a solid new drama series, bolstered by a strong cast, impressive writing, and a consistent direction.
In the aftermath of their father’s death, brothers Jack (Stephen Amell) and Ace (Alexander Ludwig) have taken on major roles in his Duffy Wrestling League. Jack has fully thrown himself into the business, becoming the chief writer and more-or-less director of the production. He’s also famously a Heel in the ring, working up the audience as the villain. Ace, meanwhile, is a beloved Face, a hero to the public and the poster boy for the league — even if out of the ring he’s an increasingly troubled young man. Both Amell and Ludwig are pitch-perfect in their roles. Both hint at their roles’ softer sides while putting up the best public facade. When Ace and Jack are at each other’s throats, their performances especially shine.
Much of the plot — especially in its early episodes — is focused on the long-simmering drama between the pair. The drama is drawn to the forefront when former DWL star turned pro Wild Bill (Chris Bauer) comes back to town to offer Ace a chance at the big leagues. The ensuing chaos drags in not just the Ace brothers but the rest of their friends and family, including Jack’s put-upon wife Staci (Alison Luff), Ace’s girlfriend and valet Crystal (Kelli Berglund), Jack’s exhausted business partner Willie (Mary McCormack), and other wrestlers in the DWL like the cocky Rooster (Allen Maldonado) and the seasoned Apocayplse (James Harrison).
While Heels initially seems to be mostly concerned with the Spade brothers, the show focuses on far more than just depicting a tense brotherly bond. The DWL is treated like a genuine coming together of the town and it’s the closest thing to theatre that the residents of Duffy, Georga will probably ever willingly attend. The effect the DWL has on the Spades and the rest of their circle is felt keenly throughout the episode. Their actions outside the ring affect what goes on during a show, and often, vice versa. With Mike O’Malley involved as Executive Producer, Showrunner, and appearing as the head of a rival wrestling league, the scripts and story of Heels manage to be effectively funny, thrilling, and, at times, heartbreaking.
Overall, the cast proves game for both the physical and emotional challenges of the show, with Amell and Ludwig playing off each other with the right level of genuine emotion and cocksure defiance. The rest of the cast is as gifted, with Berglund especially impressing as the wrestling-loving Crystal — who’s itching to showcase her full potential outside of being Ace’s arm candy. There’s a genuine sense of pathos afforded to each character that the performers do well with, especially as the show delves more into their personalities and disarming ways. This is a series where every character has more depth than they first appear, with the notions of who is a real Face or Heel becoming harder to parse as the series explores reality versus perception.
There’s something to be said for the dusty but defiant tone of Heels. The series balances exploring artistic intent with societal success while never forgetting to ground the show in its characters and their genuine passion for wrestling. At its best, Heels feels like wrestling’s answer to the dearly departed Friday Night Lights. Heels is a strong dramatic outing from Waldron, and a solid exploration of what makes small towns and the people living there tick.
Created by Michael Waldron, Heels premieres Aug. 15 on Starz.
About The Author
