The hit wrestling drama starring Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig returns to Starz this July.
It’s finally time for the Spade brothers to get back into the ring.
The DWL’s moment of triumph won’t last long, however.
Ace (Alexander Ludwig) and Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) in ‘Heels’.Starz
As for Jack’s no-BS business partner, Willie (Mary McCormack)?
She’ll be working tirelessly behind the scenes to hold it all together, as usual.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:Fans have been waiting almost two years for a new season.
Willie (Mary McCormack), Jack, and Big Jim in ‘Heels’.Starz
Was there any specific reason for the delay?
MIKE O’MALLEY:We completed production on July 1st of last year.
Then we had an extensive post-production period because we had some visual effects.
Crystal (Kelli Berglund) in ‘Heels’.Starz
One of the things I love about Starz is how much time and thought they put into everything.
We finished post-production in January.
There was no issue in terms of the creative.
Charlie Gully (Mike O’Malley) in ‘Heels’.Starz
We didn’t do any rewriting.
We didn’t do any reshooting.
There was nothing nefarious, nobody got injured.
Big Jim (Duke Davis Roberts) and Rooster (Allen Maldonado).Starz
What can you preview about their relationship this season?
He doesn’t like that he needs the applause so much that he breaks down in tears.
He feels like his whole life is a failure.
You’ll see in season 2, episode 1 is somewhat of an origin story.
These acts of contrition are profound, but they have to be profound.
Staci was definitely fed up with Jack by the end of season 1.
You’ll see in the first episode of season 2, it ends with them on a phone call.
But she’s not just like, “Okay, great.”
She’s like, “You’ve got some road to travel, dude.”
They’re creative people, and they really want to connect.
What can you tease about her season 2 storyline?
So, Jack realizes that he has people questioning whether or not she really did this.
The debate is, “Well, Crystal doesn’t have the belt Bunny Bombshell has the belt.
And she has it for Bill!”
All that conversation happens on screen.
So the league sets up a situation where she absolutely soars.
Kelli Berglund, the actress who plays Crystal, is just tremendous.
Gully spent most of last season trying to put the DWL out of business one way or another.
I’m guessing he hasn’t given up on that mission in season 2?
[laughs] The things I’m willing to do for art.
So now in season 2, Wild Bill goes on a podcast and starts trashing Gully.
And Gully decides, “All right, this is going a little bit too far.
If this is the game you wanna play, I’m gonna sue you.”
You have created this circumstance."
Everything that Jack does is due to his own character flaws.
If he did not lie to Ace, he wouldn’t be in the situation with Ace.
This season, you’re able to kind of can see Gully’s point.
You’ll see, he’s just a dad, he’s celebrating that his daughter got into college.
He’s just trying to run a business, and the Spade brothers are being ridiculous.
Will we see Rooster go back to the DWL this season?
What Gully says to him is like, “Just chill out.
You’re making more money, and you’re becoming more famous.”
I don’t want to spoil it, but Rooster comes out lookingjustgreat.
We learned more about Jack and Ace’s father, Tom, last season through a series of flashbacks.
WillDavid James Elliottreturn this year to reprise his role as the Spade patriarch?
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Heelsseason 2 premieres Friday, July 28 at 10 p.m. on Starz.
