Thick and thirsty! Stephen Amell packs on 21 lbs in 19 days for upcoming Starz wrestling drama 'Heels'

Amell might have played a superhero for eight years but he has decided to bulk up a bit for his role on the new show, revealed the 38-year-old star on Twitter
Stephen Amell (Getty Images)
Stephen Amell (Getty Images)

The world knows Stephen Amell as a bow-and-arrow-toting superhero. After all, his show 'Arrow' kicked off a literal multiverse of shows on The CW and revolutionized how people view shows with superheroes. 

Now that 'Arrow' has ended, Stephen Amell is looking towards the future, specifically his upcoming Starz wrestling drama 'Heels'. Amell might have played a superhero for eight years but he's decided to bulk up a bit for his role on the new show and the 38-year-old actor gave fans an impressive update on Twitter about his weight gain. 

"1/6/20 — 192 lbs 2/25/20 — 213 lbs," Amell tweeted, replying to an earlier tweet he had put out on January 6 saying, "I start training for Heels today. Giant billboards with me wearing only a speedo aren’t going to fucking make themselves."

Amell hasn't released any pictures of his transformation but it's still pretty impressive that he managed to put on twenty-one pounds in nineteen days. We're really excited to see those speedo pictures now and we'd also like to know if he's been spending time on the old salmon ladder again. 

Besides Amell, 'Heels' will also be featuring 'Vikings' star Alexander Ludwig in a lead role. Amell had also confirmed earlier that he will not have a stunt double stepping in for him on the show.

"I'm not gonna have a stunt double," Amell told Cinemablend in January. "I can't. I'm gonna be in a speedo. How the f*** am I gonna have a stunt double? I'm gonna wear wrestling trunks – we call them trunks - but it's ostensibly a speedo."

In the same interview, Amell also spoke about the kind of physique he wants to build for the show saying that he doesn't want to look like he walked off a magazine cover but he does want to look like a convincing wrestler. 

"I want to get thicker, actually," he explained. "I don't wanna be like super-ripped. I want to look strong."

'Heels' doesn't have a release date yet but it is expected to arrive sometime in 2021.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Olivia telling Bruno to take some time off has fans speculating about Kevin Kane’s potential exit
2026-10-23T05:55:35.000Z
Its first three episodes averaged 5.06 million viewers after a week, and the numbers have kept climbing
2026-10-23T02:32:54.000Z
Netflix is keeping the newcomers’ roles under wraps as the Brannocks’ story continues in Season 2.
2026-10-22T20:18:00.000Z
Kelly Reilly reflects on Beth Dutton’s new chapter in South Texas as the hit Yellowstone spin-off 'Dutton Ranch' prepares to continue its story.
2026-10-22T19:52:53.000Z
CBS’ November 8 lineup update raises questions about new episodes and where viewers can catch up.
2026-10-22T19:13:30.000Z
The 'Outlander' is set to play a ruthless agent in Viola Davis’ corporate thriller for Paramount+, as the series expands its cast.
2026-10-22T18:34:33.000Z
Mike Flanagan reimagines Stephen King’s 'Carrie,' following a bullied teenager whose emerging telekinetic powers collide with family struggles.
2026-10-22T16:22:15.000Z
'Swipe Right on the Devil' traces how a Tinder date led investigators to Sydney Loofe’s killers and reveals where they are now.
2026-10-22T16:13:09.000Z
James Marsden’s CIA thriller adds a series regular, but one key detail remains missing.
2026-10-22T15:04:13.000Z
'Heated Rivalry' follows hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as their secret romance evolves, with Season 2 expected in 2027.
2026-10-22T14:30:52.000Z