Heels has nailed its landing after Starz canceled the series in 2023. Netflix and Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution Group have agreed to a licensing agreement for the two seasons of critically-acclaimed drama from Mike O’Malley.
Deadline has learned there is an option for a third season, but that all depends on the availability of stars Stephen Amell, who booked the lead role in the Suits spinoff, and Alexander Ludwig, who’s toplining Earth Abides for MGM+. A spokesman for Lionsgate declined to comment.
Heels revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Amell and Ludwig) war over their late father’s legacy. In the ring, somebody must play the good guy and somebody must play their nemesis, the heel. But in the real world, those characters can be hard to live up to — or hard to leave behind.
The series also stars Allen Maldonado as Rooster Robbins, Alison Luff as Stacy Spade, Chris Bauer as Wild Bill Hancock, Kelli Berglund as Crystal Tyler, Mary McCormack as Willie Day, Robby Ramos as Diego Cottonmouth, Trey Tucker as Bobby Pin, Roxton Garcia as Thomas Spade, and James Harrison as Apocalypse. Guest stars include AJ Mendez as Elle Dorado and Phil Brooks aka CM Punk as Ricky Rabies.
O’Malley (Extended Family, Survivor’s Remorse, Shameless) serves as showrunner and writer, and also plays the role of Charlie Gully. Michael Waldron (Loki, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) created the series. Heels is executive produced by O’Malley and Waldron alongside Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn, Pete Segal, Patrick Walmsley and Christopher Donnelly.
THR first reported the news about the licensing deal.