Netflix’s GLOW, an original series based on the 1980s female wrestling league television show G.L.O.W. (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) has been on our radar since it’s a female-created, female-produced show with a cast of fourteen women.
Executive produced by Jenji Kohan and Tara Herrmann of Orange is the New Black and co-created by Liz Flahive (Homeland) and Carly Mensch (OITNB) who will also serve as showrunners, this is a team of women that have experience with female-centric narratives. In a new featurette, we get to hear from different members of the cast and I love the fact that they’re all in their ’80s wrestling gear during their interviews. It’s big hair and neon for days.
“In the 80s, women were still looking for outlets to break out of stereotypes and be treated as equals,” says Gayle Rankin who plays Sheila the She-Wolf. Immediately after, we see a clip of Brie’s character frustrated by the abundance of secretary roles and lack of interesting roles, La La Land style. However, unlike La La Land, GLOW has a diverse main cast. “It’s a very diverse and interesting group of women,” says Marc Maron who plays Sam Sylvia. “All of them have very quirky talents.” Alison Brie, who plays actress Ruth Wilder, asserts that it’s absolutely a “female forward” show.
All the women also do their own wrestling, and we get a look at what the practices look like. While some were really intimidated and had little wrestling experience, the team quickly embraced the thrills and challenges. I’m especially excited to see Ellen Wong, whom you may remember as Knives Chau in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, get an opportunity to use her taekwondo belt as Jenny Chey.
“Every woman has a wrestling character sleeping inside of them,” says Betty Gilpin who plays Debbie Eagan. Let’s hope GLOW helps us channel ours. The wrestling drama comes to Netflix June 23rd, are you going to check it out?
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