With sharply written scripts blending hilarious camp and heartfelt drama, the series had a clear path to continued success. But despite an order for a fourth and final season, timing was not on GLOW's side as the COVID-19 pandemic, production delays, and ballooning costs ultimately led to the show's cancellation. Yet, six years removed, it remains a wonderful weekend binge.
What Is 'GLOW' About?
Netflix's GLOW follows the highs and lows of a fictionalized version of the real-life professional wrestling promotion, helmed by Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron), a cynical, washed-up B-movie director. Much of the action centers on the push-and-pull between former best friends Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), a struggling actress, and Debbie Eagen (Betty Gilpin), a retired soap star. Despite their initial conflict, which largely began after Ruth had an affair with Debbie's husband, the women ultimately reforge their bond, overcome personal strife, and become supportive teammates.
However, GLOW isn't just a two-hander with background characters. While Ruth and Debbie's turbulent relationship leads to unexpected professional benefits, including the dynamic between their wrestling personas, other cast members also earn the chance to shine in the ring. The joy of watching every season is largely rooted in watching these reluctant teammates form a united front as their characters evolve, their backstories come to light, and their personal objectives become part of the larger picture.
In terms of its cast, GLOW seemingly had its finger on the pulse, with many of its most memorable faces going on to star in even bigger projects. Gilpin and Brie continue to shine, between Gilpin’s Emmy-nominated appearance on Widow’s Bay and Brie’s hilarious turn in Masters of the Universe. Jackie Tohn, who played Melanie ”Melrose" Rosen, now stars in Netflix's sharply humorous rom-com series Nobody Wants This. Sydelle Noel, who played Cherry, is making her debut in Season 4 of Reacher as Detective Tamara Green, a reluctant ally for Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson). And who could forget Gayle Rankin, best known as the intriguing and wildly evolving Sheila "The She Wolf," currently starring on House of the Dragon as Alys Rivers?
'GLOW' Still Deserves a Revival — or a Proper Finale
In the fall of 2019, GLOW had been renewed for one more season. By February the following year, production had begun, with little more than an episode filmed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all TV and film production in Los Angeles was halted a month later. By October 2020, Flahive and Mensch confirmed GLOW had been canceledand would not be completed or aired; Netflix had concerns about the "physically intimate" nature of the series' wrestling scenes, given its large ensemble cast, and wanted to prevent the possibility of a mass outbreak on set. Other Netflix shows, including The Society and I Am Not Okay With This, were canceled earlier the same year in light of similar circumstances impacting filming.
However, there is a universe in which GLOW could be wrapped up with a feature-length finale. Though scheduling could be a hindrance — it took Deadwood more than a decade for fans to get a conclusion to HBO's Western series— there is a history of Netflix giving its shows one last hurrah. This year alone, both Peaky Blinders and Heartstopper received a feature-length finale, giving fans closure with fan-favorite characters. With a roadmap for Season 4 already in place, a GLOW revival movie has a lot of potential, and the series still deserves the chance to wrap up on its own terms.
Release Date
2017 - 2019-00-00
Showrunner
Liz Flahive
Directors
Liz Flahive
Writers
Liz Flahive
Image via Netflix
English (US) ·