Members of the cast and crew were informed over the weekend that Starz's pro wrestling drama Heels has been canceled and will not be renewed for a third season.This is not surprising as the viewership was extremely low this season, despite the series' excellent storylines and acting. It was absolutely a victim of the SAG-AFTRA strike, which kept the actors from promoting the series, as well as the long delay between seasons one and two due to Lionsgate and STARZ separating, which also killed the momentum after the first season.
"Heels" was a story about 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, “Arrow”) and Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig, “Vikings”), are at war over their late father’s legacy while working to find their identity and their individual versions of success..
This season also starred Alison Luff (“New Amsterdam”) as Staci Spade, Mary McCormack (“Deep Impact,” “The L Word”) as Willie Day, Kelli Berglund (“The Goldbergs,” “The Animal Kingdom”) as Crystal Tyler, Allen Maldonado (House Party, “The Wonder Years,” “The Last O.G.”) as Rooster Robbins, Chris Bauer (“Gaslit,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” and “True Blood”) as Wild Bill Hancock, Trey Tucker (“The Outpost”) as Bobby Pin, Robby Ramos (“Chicago P.D.”) as Diego Cottonmouth, Alice Barrett Mitchell (“The Thing About Pam,” “Billions”) as Carol Spade, and Roxton Garcia (“Reminiscence”) as Thomas Spade, David James Elliot (Trumbo, “JAG”) as Tom Spade, and Joel Murray (“Mad Men,” “Shameless”) as Eddie Earl. CM Punk (“Mayans,” “AEW Dynamite”) as Ricky Rabies, AJ Mendez (“Women of Wrestling,” “WWE”) as Elle Dorado, Josh Segarra (Scream VI, “Arrow,” “The Other Two”) as Brooks Rizzo, and Emmy Raver-Lampman as Jen Lussier.
“Heels” showrunner and executive producer Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”) also portrays Charlie Gully on the series. Michael Waldron (executive producer of “Loki,” Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and producer for “Rick and Morty”) is the series creator. Christopher Donnelly (By Sidney Lumet), Pete Segal (Get Smart, 50 First Dates, “Tommy Boy,” “Shameless”), Patrick Walmsley (JT LeRoy), and Julie Yorn (Hell or High Water, White Boy Rick) also serve as executive producers on the series. “Heels" is produced through O'Malley Ink and LBI Entertainment in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ.
If you get the chance, the series was absolutely worth watching, but now won't be able to resolve the cliffhanger that closed season two.
The divorce of Lionsgate and STARZ delayed the hell out of it, and then the WGA and SAG went on strike and made it so that there could be no talk and hype for the second season. It really felt like they were looking for ways to kill it.
Edit: The second season also had really low viewership from what I've read... but again, it had a lot stacked against it.