Heels

Heels is a 2021 drama television series that successfully blends the world of small-town life, family tensions, and professional wrestling for its viewers. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, this Starz series traces the emotional journey and transformation of its chief characters while offering fascinating insights into the grueling, highly competitive, and thriving world of independent professional wrestling.

The show revolves around the story of two brothers, Jack and Ace Spade. Jack, the older brother, is played by Arrow's Stephen Amell, while Billions alum Alexander Ludwig plays Ace. The Spade brothers share a deep-rooted passion for wrestling, inherited from their late father, who left them with his wrestling business, Duffy Wrestling League (DWL). But this common passion also creates a wedge between them, fueled by competing philosophies, ego clashes, and the towering shadow of their father's legacy.

Jack is a hard-nosed, business-minded individual who values the legacy of the DWL above everything else. He is a loving family man devoted to his wife, Staci, and son, but his obsession with keeping the DWL profitable and on top takes a toll on his personal life. This combines with his fear of the DWL becoming obsolete as larger wrestling franchises gain popularity, keeping him constantly on edge.

In stark contrast, Ace is more of a loose cannon. He's a natural showman, the darling of Duffy, and is cherished by the crowd for his performance in the ring. In his heart, Ace perceives wrestling as a path to greater things and dreams of becoming a superstar. However, his volatile nature, coupled with a lack of understanding of the business's gritty reality, often lands him in predicaments.

Running parallel to the brother's story arc are the tales of the women who are an essential part of their journey: Staci Spade, Jack's wife, and Crystal Tyler, a wrestler valet with ambitions of staking her own claim on the wrestling ring. With a character as levelheaded as Staci and a dreamer and ambitious figure like Crystal, these women bring a sense of balance and refreshing perspective to the testosterone-charged world that the show mainly portrays.

The setting gives the show an opportunity to depict the struggle and dedication of those who operate on the fringes of professional wrestling. The grueling training, precarious finances, and ongoing rivalries are vivid and often juxtaposed with moments of humor and camaraderie, giving viewers a comprehensive look inside this world.

Heels is crafted as a drama series exploring the challenge of maintaining a family business and dealing with familial relationships. However, it is also very much "about wrestling". Intricacies of the profession, like the terms babyfaces (heroes) and heels (villains), the importance of storytelling in the ring, and wrestling's performative aspects, are explored in the series.

The cinematography and wrestling sequences are meticulously executed, giving viewers an authentic feel of the wrestling universe. The Southern charm of its Georgia setting lends a touch of realism and allows the series to shine a light on the wrestling scene in non-metropolitan areas, away from the glitz and glamour of popular wrestling shows.

More than a sports series, Heels is a family drama that navigates complex relationships, personal aspirations, and the constant struggle between upholding tradition and pursuing dreams. The tight-knit cast complements the storytelling with solid performances, ensuring viewers stay invested in this wrestling saga.

The creative mind behind Heels is Michael Waldron, a writer and producer known for his work on "Loki" and "Rick and Morty". Coupled with the expertise of director Peter Segal, known for his work on "Shameless" and "Tommy Boy", the production value of Heels is of high calibre, making it a must-watch for not only wrestling fans, but anyone who enjoys well-crafted character drama.

Ultimately, even with wrestling as the narrative backdrop, Heels manages to resonate with its viewers through its human stories, varied dynamics, and enthralling performances.