During a press event in Berlin earlier today, the Netflixstreaming serviceunveiled the first trailer for their upcoming seriesG.L.O.W., which reveals that the show will be coming to Netflix Friday, June 23. The trailer showcases just a few of the colorful characters that will inhabit this unique world of a women’s pro wrestling league. While these characters may seem larger than life and stranger than fiction, the show is actually based on a the first ever women’s pro wrestling league.
Set in 1985 Los Angeles,G.L.O.W.follows Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), a struggling out-of-work actress as she auditions for, trains and eventually makes the first-ever women’s wrestling TV show. Inspired by the real story of the 1980’s female wrestling league, set in Los Angeles and showcasing big hair and body slams, this journey follows one actress' last attempt to live her dreams in the form of a weekly series about female wrestlers. It remains to be seen if any of the real wrestlers from the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (G.L.O.W.) will be appearing in theNetflixcomedic drama.
The cast also includesAlex Richas Florian,Betty Gilpinas Debbie Eagan,Britney Youngas Carmen Wade,Britt Baronas Justine,Chris Lowellas Sebastian “Bash” Howard,Ellen Wongas Jenny,Gayle Rankinas Sheila the She Wolf,Jackie Tohnas Melrose,Kate Nashas Rhonda,Kia Stevensas Tammé,Kimmy Gatewoodas Stacey,Marc Maronas Sam Sylvia,Rebekka Johnsonas Dawn,Sunita Manias Arthie andSydelle Noelas Cherry Bang.Jenji Kohan(Orange is the New Black) andTara Herrmann(Orange is the New Black) are executive producers ofG.L.O.W.. The series was co-created byLiz Flahive(Homeland) andCarly Mensch(Orange is the New Black), who will serve as showrunners.
The real-life wrestling seriesG.L.O.W.ran for four seasons between 1986 and 1989, based in Las Vegas, which featured wrestling matches along with sketches and songs. Unlike the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and other wrestling shows of its time, which would run weekly televised wrestling events, there were actual seasons ofG.L.O.W., with each season spanning 26 episodes, for a total of 104 episodes produced throughout the four-year run. The show was revived in 2001 by the Riviera Hotel & Casino, where the original show was filmed, and it also spawned otherfemale wrestlingshows such asPowerful Women of Wrestling,Ladies Sports ClubandWomen of Wrestling, which was revived in 2013.
While the originalpro wrestlingshow certainly found a fan base throughout the mid-1980s, it’s possible that this series could revive interest in a female wrestling league. TheWomen of Wrestlingleague currently airs on its own YouTube channel, with World Wrestling Entertainment now boasting a strong women’s division as well. Take a look at the first trailer forG.L.O.W., to get ready for some wrestling action this summer on Netflix.
