The Heels season 2 cast reunites the majority of characters from the first season of the Starz wrestling series. This gripping show delves into the story of a family torn apart by drama and betrayal in a small American town. Starring Stephen Amell (Arrow) and Alexander Ludwig (Vikings) as brothers, the series centers around their efforts to run an independent wrestling company after the tragic suicide of their father. However, their conflicting opinions on the company's direction create turmoil in both their personal and professional lives.
Returning for the second season of Heels are most of the familiar faces from the first season, along with three exciting new additions to the lineup. These fresh faces include actors portraying wrestlers and other community members affected by the struggles and successes of the wrestling promotion. The cast is a mix of established actors from both the big and small screen, as well as a few real-life professional wrestlers. While Amell and Ludwig take on the leading roles in the series, Heels season 2 boasts a talented ensemble of actors that many viewers will recognize from their favorite TV shows and movies.
Stephen Amell as Jack Spade
Stephen Amell, a Canadian actor, takes on the role of Jack Spade in the cast of Heels season 2. Amell gained recognition for his breakthrough performance as Oliver Queen, also known as the Green Arrow, in the DC Universe show Arrow on The CW. In Heels, Amell portrays Jack Spade, the protagonist who works as a professional wrestler for a small independent promotion in Georgia. After his father's battle with mental health issues comes to an end, Jack finds himself in a conflict with his brother as they try to determine the future of their company. This opportunity allows Amell to showcase his versatility by portraying a character different from his previous role in Arrow.
Aside from his notable portrayal of Oliver Queen in Arrow, Amell has a diverse acting background. He has appeared on various TV shows, including Queer as Folk and The Vampire Diaries, where he played the role of the werewolf Brady. Amell also had a role in the HBO series Hung. Following his time on Arrow, he transitioned directly into Heels while also starring alongside his brother Robbie Amell in the movie Code 8. Furthermore, Amell has participated in wrestling matches for both WWE and AEW, enhancing his credibility for his role in Heels.
Alexander Ludwig As Ace Spade
Alexander Ludwig portrays the character Ace Spade in season 2 of Heels. In this role, he plays Jack's brother and the primary antagonist as they navigate running their family wrestling promotion following their father's passing. Born in British Columbia, Ludwig initially garnered recognition as a child actor in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising and Race to Witch Mountain. Notably, he took on the adversarial character Cato in The Hunger Games.
While Ludwig is often recognized for his film work, such as his supporting role as Shane Patton in Lone Survivor and his portrayal of Dorn in Bad Boys for Life, he truly achieved breakout success as an adult with his portrayal of Bjorn Ironside in the History Channel series Vikings. Apart from Heels, Ludwig has also made appearances in the 2021 film National Champions and Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, set to release in 2023.
Alison Luff As Staci Spade
Alison Luff has joined the cast of Heels season 2, portraying the character of Staci Spade. Aside from her acting skills, Luff is also a talented country music singer, which adds depth to her role as Staci Spade as she has the opportunity to showcase her musical abilities in the wrestling show. Staci is Jack's wife and plays a crucial role in keeping the company intact amidst all the chaos. Originating from Texas, Luff began her career in stage plays, including notable performances in Les Miserables during her school years, and later made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia. Another significant role she undertook was portraying Elphaba in Wicked.
However, it is worth noting that Alison Luff's film and TV ventures have been somewhat limited. She made her debut in 2019 with a guest appearance on the show FBI, followed by a six-episode arc as Alice Healy in New Amsterdam. Her participation in Heels season 2 marks her most substantial casting opportunity to date.
Mary McCormick As Willie Day
Mary McCormick, known for her roles in popular TV shows like The West Wing and In Plain Sight, takes on the character of Willie Day in the cast of Heels season 2. Willie is the mastermind behind DWL, serving as Jack's business partner and overseeing the promotion and development of storylines for the wrestlers. With extensive experience in the wrestling world, Willie stands out among the other characters. Born in New Jersey, McCormick gained recognition for her portrayal of Justine Appleton in Murder One, which propelled her career. She later joined The West Wing as Kate Harper, a recurring character who held the positions of Deputy National Security Advisor and ex-CIA officer in the show's final three seasons. Additionally, she took on the lead role of Mary Shannon in In Plain Sight on the USA Network. Prior to joining the Heels cast, McCormick also played Peggy Cleary in The Kids Are Alright.
Kelli Berglund As Crystal Tyler
Kelli Berglund portrays Crystal Tyler in season 2 of the show Heels. Crystal is a young woman from a small town, who is determined to prove herself as a wrestler in the DWL. Despite facing skepticism from others, she defies the odds and becomes the champion by the end of season 1. This victory sets the stage for significant developments in her character's journey in the upcoming second season. Berglund, originally from California, gained recognition for her role as Bree Davenport in the Disney XD series Lab Rats. Additionally, viewers may also remember her as Mae Hartley from the Disney Channel movie How to Build a Better Boy. Prior to her role in Heels, she appeared in the Starz drama series Now Apocalypse as Carly Carson, and had recurring roles in the drama crime series Animal Kingdom as Olivia and in the comedy sitcom The Goldbergs as Ren.
Allen Maldonado As Rooster
Allen Maldonado has joined the second season of Heels, portraying the character Rooster Robbins. In the show, Rooster is renowned as one of the top wrestlers in the independent circuit. However, due to Jack's refusal to acknowledge him as a champion in the DWL, Rooster decides to depart and join FWD, a rival promotion based in Florida. Maldonado, who hails from California, initially gained recognition for his notable role in Friday After Next.
Since that breakout performance, Maldonado has forged a successful career, featuring in prominent films such as Live Free or Die Hard, Dope, The Equalizer, and Straight Outta Compton. In recent years, he has also appeared in the 2020 Netflix superhero film Project Power and the 2023 remake of House Party. Alongside his involvement in Heels, Maldonado has showcased his talent in television series such as The Last O.G., portraying the character Cousin Bobby, and The Wonder Years, portraying Coach Long.
Chris Bauer As Wild Bill Hancock
Chris Bauer portrays the character of Wild Bill Hancock in the cast of Heels season 2. Wild Bill, a former wrestling champion, now works as a talent scout for prominent wrestling promotions. Throughout the first season, he had a tumultuous relationship with the Spade brothers and ultimately played a crucial role in Crystal's rise to stardom. Originally from California, Bauer's breakthrough role came in the HBO series The Wire, where he portrayed Frank Sobotka.
Many fans will recognize Bauer for his notable performances in The Wire and the crime drama Third Watch, where he played Fred Yokas. He also gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Andy Bellefleur in the HBO vampire series True Blood. Additionally, he has had recurring and main roles in TV shows like For All Mankind, The Deuce, and Survivor's Remorse.
Phil Brooks as Ricky Rabies
Phil Brooks, widely recognized as CM Punk, the former WWE World Champion, has joined the cast of Heels season 2. His notable presence within the wrestling community adds substantial attention to the show. In the series, Brooks portrays the character Ricky Rabies, an indie star with a captivating wildman persona. CM Punk's prominence in professional wrestling stems from his memorable "pipe bomb" promo, hailed as one of the most remarkable in wrestling history. Though he temporarily retired from wrestling in 2014, he subsequently explored other ventures such as the UFC and acting. Notably, Brooks has appeared in horror films including Girl on the Third Floor, Rabid, and Jakob's Wife. Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in Mayans M.C., where he took on the role of Paul.
Mike O'Malley As Charlie Gully
Mike O'Malley, known for his various roles, joins the cast of Heels season 2 as Charlie Gully. In addition to playing Gully, O'Malley takes on the role of showrunner. Gully is a rival promoter from FWD, a company that prioritizes violence over storytelling. He has caused conflict between Ace and Jack multiple times and convinced Rooster to leave DWL and join his promotion. O'Malley, who was born in Boston, previously hosted the show Nickelodeon Guts and had his own sitcom called The Mike O'Malley Show.
O'Malley's extensive filmography includes notable movies like 28 Days, Deep Impact, R.I.P.D., and Sully. He has also appeared on the TV show Snowpiercer as Roche and gained recognition for his portrayal of Burt Hummell on Glee, which earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. Additionally, O'Malley has worked as a writer on Shameless and created the Starz series Survivor's Remorse.
Duke Davis Roberts As Big Jim
Trey Tucker As Bobby Pin
Duke Davis Roberts portrays the character Big Jim Kitchen in season 2 of Heels. Big Jim is Ace's best friend and was among the esteemed heroes in the DFW region. Although he retired in the first season due to the birth of his child, he still remains an integral part of the storyline. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Davis has been involved in acting since his high school days. In addition to his role in Heels, Roberts is well known for his portrayal of Cash in The Peripheral and Nocona in The Son. He also made an appearance as Choo-Choo in Justified and appeared in the 2016 film Undrafted.Joining the cast of Heels season 2 as Bobby Pin is Trey Tucker. Bobby stands out among the Heels cast as one of the few characters who embodies moral certainty, a trait that also extends to Tucker's real-life persona. However, he unintentionally became the center of controversy when he inadvertently got involved in the complex dynamics between Ace and Crystal. Tucker has a modest repertoire of previous roles, including playing John Smith in What Lies Below and portraying CPT Stoney Portis in The Outpost.
Robby Ramos As Diego Cottonmouth
Robby Ramos stars as Diego Cottonmouth in the second season of Heels. Although Cottonmouth portrays a villain in the wrestling series, in real life he often showcases his humorous side and offers friendship when someone is in need. Being part of the Heels cast marks Ramos's first major role, following his previous appearances in various television shows such as The Blacklist, Orange is the New Black, Snowfall, and NCIS: Hawaii. Additionally, in 2023, he had a recurring role on Chicago P.D.
Alice Barrett-Mitchell As Carol Spade
In the second season of Heels, Alice Barrett Mitchell plays the character of Carol Spade, who is the mother of Jack and Ace. She is also the widow of their late father, Tom, who tragically took his own life. Barrett Mitchell has been involved in acting since 1979 and is best known for her notable portrayal of Anne O'Donnell and Frankie Frame in the NBC soap opera Another World, where she captivated audiences from 1989 to 1999. Apart from her role in Heels, she has also made appearances in the series Billions, and in 2022, she took on the character of Cathy Singer in The Thing About Pam.
Roxton Garcia As Thomas Spade
David James Elliott As Tom Spade
Roxton Garciav stars as Thomas Spade in the second season of the television series Heels. Thomas is portrayed as the son of Jack and Staci in the show. At the age of 10, actor Garcia has previously appeared in The Lost Husband and Reminiscence.
Tom Spade, portrayed by David James Elliot, is a character in season 2 of Heels. Within the series, Tom is the father of Jack and Ace, and his tragic suicide sets the storyline in motion. He continues to appear in flashbacks throughout the show's second season. Many viewers will recognize Elliott for his notable role as Harmon Rabb Jr., the main protagonist in JAG. Additionally, he has made appearances in Trumbo and TV series such as Street Legal, Close to Home, and Impulse.
Joel Murray As Eddie Earl
Joel Murray has been added to the lineup for Heels season 2, assuming the role of Eddie Earl. Not only is he one of the most prosperous individuals in the small town, but he also acts as a financial patron for DWL. Joel kicked off his career in the realm of television advertisements, lending his voice to the iconic Cheetos mascot for a remarkable 11-year tenure. Movie enthusiasts might easily recognize him from his memorable performances in Scrooged, One Crazy Summer, and Shakes the Clown. Additionally, he made multiple appearances in the television series Mad Men and provided the voice for Don Carlton in Pixar's beloved film, Monsters University.
Josh Segarra As Brooks Rizzo
Brooks Rizzo, played by Josh Segarra, joins the season 2 cast of Heels. Segarra, a fresh addition to the Heels ensemble, previously portrayed the character Adrian Chase/Prometheus in the fifth season of Arrow, making this a small reunion. He also had a role as Danny in Screen VI and has recurring appearances in several TV shows, including Nestor Vertiz in FBI, Mateo Lopez in Katy Keene, and Stefanovic in Orange is the New Black. He further showcased his talents in 2023 by taking on the main role of Giorgio in The Big Door Prize and appearing as Pug in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Emmy Raver-Lampman As Jen Lussier
Emmy Raver-Lampman's character in season 2 of Heels is Jen Lussier. In the trailer for the new season, she was featured as a devoted fan of Crystal, who started as a valet and became a wrestler. Emmy Raver-Lampman gained recognition for her breakout role as Allison Hargreeves in the Netflix series, The Umbrella Academy, in 2019. She also appeared in the films Dog and Blacklight, both released in 2022.
AJ Mendez as Elle Dorado
AJ Mendez, portraying Elle Dorado, joined the season 2 cast of Heels. Bringing her expertise as a wrestler, Mendez collaborates with Crystal throughout this season. Not only is Mendez an esteemed wrestling personality, but she is also Phil Brooks' spouse, another member of the Heels cast. While known for her time in WWE as AJ Lee, where she excelled as both a wrestler and manager until her retirement in 2014 alongside CM Punk, Mendez is not merely a replica of past wrestling stars. She also fulfills the role of a producer for Women of Wrestling, a prominent all-women's wrestling promotion. Additionally, Mendez has ventured into the realm of literature, achieving best-selling author status. Although her involvement in the horror movie Rabid marks her sole appearance in the film industry, her multifaceted contributions to various domains are notable.