Star Stephen Amell is recovering after sustaining a back injury while filming Heels. The actor is best known for his role in The CW's Arrow, where he played vigilante Oliver Queen for eight seasons. Arrow was well-received by both critics and fans alike, and Amell was praised for his complex portrayal of the billionaire hero.
Although Amell's time as Oliver Queen has come to an end, he's since been cast in Starz drama Heels. The show will center around the independent wrestling industry, and take place in Georgia. The series will reportedly focus on brothers Jack (Amell) and Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) as the two clash over their deceased father's legacy. While Jack is all-in on running the family business, Ace is ready to leave their small town at the drop of a hat.
Deadline reports that Amell has suffered a back injury while shooting for Heels. The actor was in the middle of performing a stunt when he hurt his back. Amell's injury was immediately evaluated by a medic and stunt coordinators, and he is currently recuperating at home. Production for Heels has been unaffected and will continue while Amell recovers. You can check out Starz' statement on Amell's back injury below:
“While performing a stunt on the set of Heels this week, Stephen Amell sustained an injury to his back. Following a medical evaluation, he is now resting and recovering at home in anticipation of his return to set.”
Amell's time on Heels has been far from smooth sailing, and the star recently revealed that he had contracted COVID-19 while shooting. Amell explained that his COVID diagnosis came as a surprise, especially since he had consistently abided by health and safety regulations, as well as tested negative in the past. While Amell has since made a full recovery, he's only recently returned to set. To that end, although it's unfortunate that Amell is out again due to a back injury, it's imperative that the actor takes as much time as he needs to properly heal.
It will be exciting to see how Amell put his unique spin on Jack Spade. Considering Heels looks at independent wrestling, Amell will likely perform quite a few stunts in the ring. This is somewhat fitting; while Amell has not only participated in wrestling matches in the past, Arrow was known for being a fast-paced, action-heavy show. As a result, perhaps it's no surprise that Amell is now jumping into a project with similar elements. Above all, though, it's important that Amell stays safe on set and that he makes a full recovery from this recent injury.
Source: Deadline