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Heels: Stephen Amell Shows Off His Singing Skills; Arrow Fam Reunion

One of the beautiful things about a press junket for a premiering or returning series is the randomly cool and interesting things that come from it. In the case of STARZ's Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig-starring Heels, we have two of those moments for you today- both focused on Amell. But while one of them has to do with the actor's "past life" as Oliver Queen on The CW's Arrow (yup, that's the tease), we're kicking things off with a look at Amell's pro-wrestling drama that's set to premiere tonight. But there is an "Arrow" aspect to it in that Amell is doing something for Heels that he never did over the course of 170 episodes of the long-running Arrowverse series.

Heels
Image: Screencap

Here's a look at Amell and Ludwig's interview with ET where we learn that Amell will be singing in the third episode (with a little "Arrow" perspective) before he offers up a small sample of what viewers can expect:

And as for that Arrow reunion, we have MEGACON Orlando to thank for bringing Amell and Katie Cassidy (Laurel Lance / Black Canary) back together again, a moment that Cassidy shared via Instagram:

Since we're in a musical mood, here's a look at the opening credits to Heels that includes the main title theme song, "Love in War," a song co-collaborated on by Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) alongside series composer Jeff Cardoni. The pairing was the idea of music supervisor Jonathan Leahy, resulting in a theme for the pro-wrestling drama that is emotional, uplifting, and poignant (and on the series soundtrack):

For a look behind the scenes at the folks that make up the world of the Duffy Wrestling League and the community that's built around them over the years, check out the following clip:

Now here's a look back at the official trailer for STARZ's pro-wrestling drama:

In Heels, the focus is on 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 — Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) and Ace Spade (Alexander 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.

cm punk
Image: STARZ

In the ring, Amell's Jack Spade is the charismatic villain, or heel, of the Duffy Wrestling League (DWL). In the real world, he's its hard-working owner, a husband, and father trying to make ends meet while fighting to realize his impossible dreams. He has the mind of an artist in the body of a warrior, and a Steve Jobs-ian need for perfection — and for control. He says he'll do whatever it takes to build the DWL into an empire. Will he go so far as to risk his marriage – or his relationship with his brother, Ace?

Heels: Stephen Amell Shows Off His Singing Skills; Arrow Fam Reunion
Heels (Image: STARZ)

Ludwig's Ace Spade is the beloved hero and star of the DWL. Things are more difficult in the real world, where he struggles to reconcile his town idol status with his insecurities and demons. He's brash, cocky, and self-destructive — yet so damn charming and good-looking that you can almost forgive him. If he can keep it together, he'll have a ticket out of Duffy and to the big time. But that's a big if…

heels
Image: STARZ

Written by Michael Waldron (Loki), directed by Peter Segal (Shameless), and with Mike O'Malley serving as showrunner, Heels stars Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, Alexander Ludwig as Ace Spade, Mary McCormack (The Kids Are Alright) as Willie, Chris Bauer (For All Mankind) as Wild Bill Hancock, Kelli Berglund (Animal Kingdom) as Crystal Tyler, Alison Luff (New Amsterdam) as Staci Spade, Allen Maldonado (The Last O.G.) as Rooster Robbins, James Harrison (NFL star) as Apocalypse, Trey Tucker (What Lies Below) as Bobby Pin, Robby Ramos (Snowfall) as Diego, Alice Barrett as Carol Spade, series showrunner Mike O'Malley as Charlie Gully, Duke Davis Roberts as Big Jim Kitchen, CM Punk as Ricky Rabies, and Bonnie Somerville (Blue Bloods) as Vicky Rabies. Waldron and O'Malley are also set to executive produce, alongside LBI Entertainment's Julie Yorn, Chris Donnelly, and Patrick Walmsley. STARZ and Lionsgate TV produce.

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(Shutterstock.com)

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Ray FlookAbout Ray Flook

Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017.
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